Medicines
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Discover all available medicines and treatments
Brand: Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze, Fentora, Abstral, Lazanda, Onsolis
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic with a rapid onset and short duration of action. It is classified as a phenylpiperidine derivative and acts as a full opioid receptor agonist, primarily at the mu-opioid receptor. Fentanyl is approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Due to its high potency and potential for respiratory depression, fentanyl is typically used in carefully controlled settings for managing severe pain, including acute post-operative pain, chronic cancer pain, and breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant individuals.
For managing severe pain, including acute post-operative pain, chronic cancer pain, and breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant individuals.
Fentanyl carries a Black Box Warning regarding the risk of respiratory depression, addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death. It should only be used in opioid-tolerant patients and under close medical supervision.
Outcome:
Increased sedation and respiratory depression
Mechanism:
Additive CNS depressant effects
Outcome:
Increased sedation
Mechanism:
Additive CNS depressant effects
Outcome:
May slightly increase fentanyl levels
Mechanism:
CYP3A4 inhibition
Most likely new formulation: abuse-deterrent formulations (2024, 85% confidence)
Based on increasing reports of misuse and overdose, there is a 70% likelihood of increased regulatory restrictions on fentanyl prescribing within the next 2 years.
Opioid Analgesic, Narcotic
Phenylpiperidine Derivative