Fentanyl

How does fentanyl work?

Fentanyl (and other opioids) binds to receptors in parts of the brain that control pain and emotions, increasing dopamine levels and creating a state of euphoria.

When do doctors prescribe fentanyl?

Physicians prescribe fentanyl as a pain reliever or anesthesia, typically for opioid-tolerant patients undergoing heart surgery (as anesthesia), cancer patients already receiving maintenance opioid medication for pain or patients with chronic pain who need around-the-clock opioids.

What is Fentanyl?

also known as Actiq, Duragesic or Sublimaze in its prescription form, is an especially potent painkiller developed in the 1960s used to treat extreme pain.

What is the U.S. doing to combat the illegal spread of fentanyl?

•After the Drugs Enforcement Agency traced spikes of fentanyl seizures to China, pressure from U.S. officials led to China banning some of the components used to create the drug. But underground labs have replaced the components with other unregulated variants.

Nearly half of opioid-related overdose deaths involve fentanyl

•An analysis of opioid-related overdose deaths found that synthetic opioids, such as illicit fentanyl, have surpassed prescription opioids as the most common drug involved in overdose deaths in the U.S. A research letter published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) concluded that nearly half of opioid-related deaths in 2016 involved fentanyl.

What are the side effects of fentanyl?

•Drowsiness •Confusion •Constipation •Weakness •Dry mouth •Constricted pupils •Unconsciousness •Slowed respirations Decreased heart rate •Nausea •Sweating •Flushing •Confusion •Stiff or rigid muscles •Tight feeling in the throat Difficulty concentrating

How is fentanyl overdose treated?

•In fentanyl overdose cases, doctors may administer naloxone (or Narcan), a medication that can quickly stop opioid overdose effects by blocking opioid receptors, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration.

What makes fentanyl so dangerous?

•Like any opiate, fentanyl use can increase the risk of dependency and lead to both abuse and addiction. •When the drug isn't properly ingested as prescribed or is consumed illicitly or accidentally, just one small dose can result in death. •Because fentanyl is so highly potent, drug dealers have increasingly been mixing heroin, oxycodone or Xanax with fentanyl, deceiving buyers who are unaware that a powder or pill contains the drug.

What are the symptoms of fentanyl overdose?

•Pinpoint pupils •Weak muscles •Dizziness •Confusion •Extreme sleepiness •Loss of consciousness •Profoundly slowed heart beat •Very low blood pressure •Dangerously slowed or stopped breathing •Bluish tint to nails and lips

Fentanyl is how many times more potent than morphine?

50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin.

Where is fentanyl manufactured?

According to a February U.S. government report, fentanyl in recent years has been traced back to illegal labs in China and Mexico, trafficked to countries (like the U.S.), laced with heroin and sold to buyers who have no knowledge of the drug's presence.

Prescription Fentanyl, The controlled substance can be ?

legally prescribed via injection, patch, lozenges or lollipop.