Fentanyl also known as Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora and instanyl is a synthetic opioid pain killer used to treat a variety of pain disorders. The drug is believed to be at least 100 times more potent that morphine. Fentanyl was developed 40 years ago and is widely used in hospitals for pain control. Over the years, the drug has been available as a pill, injectable, lozenge and even a skin patch.
The flavored lollipop Fentanyl is great for use in children for pain control. Recently, effervescent tablets have been developed which dissolve when placed underneath the tongue.
There are also a variety of Fentanyl analogues like alfentanil, sufentanil, remifentanil and lofentanil but these medications are strictly used in the operating room by anesthesiologist.
Fentanyl is a superb pain killer and works rapidly. It can relieve chronic or acute pain within seconds. However, the drug is also addictive and can cause physical dependence. Chronic use has been associated with addiction and abrupt cessation can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Despite the drug’s good pain killing ability, Fentanyl is also associated with dangerous side effects when it is used in excess. The drug can cause lethargy, confusion, weakness, sweating, loss of appetite, dizziness and can even stop breathing. However, at low doses the drug is quiet safe. Because of it analgesic and sedative effects, Fentanyl is also one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world. It is also quite expensive.
Fentanyl is classified as a schedule 2 drug in the US meaning that it has potential for abuse and requires a doctor’s prescription. Anyone caught selling, abusing or marketing the drug without proper authority can face serious legal issues.