What is Fentanyl (Duragesic) and how
is it used?
Fentanyl, administered in the Duragesic
Patch, is a powerful narcotic painkiller
for serious pain. It is generally only prescribed
for long-lasting relief from intense, persistent
and chronic pain. The Duragesic patch should
only be used when less potent medicines have
proved ineffective and pain needs to be controlled
24/7.
Duragesic patches are a transdermal system
providing 72 hours of continuous systemic
delivery of this potent opioid analgesic.
Duragesic is available in 4 color-coded
patch strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 75 mg, and
100 mcg/hour. As with all pure opioid agonists,
there is no analgesic ceiling effect with
fentanyl, thus there are no dose-limiting
adverse effects, and dosages can be gradually
increased until adequate pain relief is achieved.
Duragesic should never be used in the following
situations:
- where the right dosage hasn't been established
in advance – for instance, after
an operation or an accident.
- for mild or intermittent pain that responds
to other medications.
- in children under 12 or teenagers who
weigh less than 110 pounds.
What are the side effects of Duragesic?
Typical side effects of Duragesic therapy
include abdominal pain, anxiety, confusion,
constipation, depression, diarrhea, dizziness,
dry mouth, euphoria, hallucinations, headache,
impaired or interrupted breathing, indigestion,
itching, anorexia, nausea, agitation, shortness
of breath, sleepiness, sweating, urinary
retention, vomiting, and weakness.
What are the symptoms of Duragesic overdose
Users are susceptible to an overdose if
they take too much transdermal fentanyl,
or combine it with excessive amounts of another
narcotic. An overdose can cause severe breathing
problems (breathing may even stop), unconsciousness,
and death. Serious signs of an overdose include
very slow breathing and drowsiness so severe
the person is unresponsive. Other signs of
an overdose include cold, clammy skin; low
blood pressure; pinpoint pupils of eyes;
and slow heartbeat. If this occurs, get emergency
help right away |
Rapid Detox Home
