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| Pronunciation |
|
 (FEN
ta
nil) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Actiq® Oral Transmucosal;
Duragesic® Transdermal; Fentanyl Oralet®; Sublimaze®
Injection |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Durogesic (Mexico); Fentanest®
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Analgesic, Narcotic; General Anesthetic |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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|
- This warning is for Actiq® only. It is for
cancer pain that is poorly treated by your other pain medicines. It is not to be
used for pain caused by an operation (surgery). Keep away from children. It
could kill a child.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to fentanyl or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Increased pressure in the
brain, severe lung problems, severe liver disease, severe kidney
disease.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to decrease pain.
- Skin patch is used for long-term pain that needs continuous medicine
delivery.
- Lollipop (Actiq®) is used for cancer pain that
comes through the usual pain
medicine.
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|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Fentanyl binds to brain receptors, relieving pain. The feeling of pain
and a person's response to pain are also
decreased.
|
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Skin patch:
- Apply skin patch (sticky side to skin) to dry nonirritated and
nonirradiated skin (chest, back, upper leg, upper arm).
- Clip (do not shave) hair at site before putting patch on.
- Rotate patch site every 3 days.
- Lollipop:
- Place the lollipop in your mouth between the cheek and lower gum.
- Suck it. Do not chew or bite. It should take about 15 minutes to use.
- This medicine is taken on an as needed basis for pain not treated by
your other
medicine.
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
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- Use a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Many times this medicine is taken on an as needed
basis.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- This medicine may be habit-forming with long-term use.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Be careful about throwing away the lollipops. It would be dangerous if
anyone else ate them.
- Tell healthcare provider if you have lung disease. You may be more
sensitive to this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, dizzy, or having blurred vision. Avoid
driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you
see how this medicine affects you.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk to healthcare provider about a stool softener or
laxative.
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| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Keep a diary of how well your pain is controlled. If not well
controlled, talk with healthcare provider.
- If no bowel movements in 3 days, talk with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Difficult breathing.
- Severe nausea or vomiting.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store at room temperature.
- Protect from freezing and
moisture.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets (could kill
them).
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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