Fentanyl: History, Uses, Side Effects, and Withdrawal

Fentanyl was originally synthesized in 1959 by Paul Janssen, under the name of his new company, Janssen Pharmaceutica. It was the early 1960's before Fentanyl was introduced to the medical community, via an intravenous anesthetic called Sublimaze.

In the mid 1990's, Janssen Pharacetica unleashed its newest Fentanyl creation, the Duragesic patch. These patches work by inserting a precise combination of an alcohol gel base and Fentanyl into a thin plastic patch. Normal human body temperature allows these innovative patches to release a steady flow of the drug over a period of 48 to 72 hours. In 2004, the Fentanyl Duragesic patches reached such heights of popularity within American markets that they alone earned Janssen Pharmaceutica an astounding one billion dollars in profit.

2004 was also the year that Janssen Pharaceutica released the popular Fentanyl lollipop, named Actiq. The Actiq lollipop contains Fentanyl citrate and various flavoring elements, is immediate release, and is typically used only for breakthrough pain along with other pain management treatments.

Uses

While all intravenous Fentanyl drugs are used primarily as anesthesia and for other surgical practices, these drugs are most well known for treating chronic pain, via the Duragesic patch.

The Fentanyl Duragesic patch and the Actiq lollipop are intended to be prescribed only for severe chronic pain issues such as cancer, or as a form of pain management when all other treatments and narcotics have failed.

Side Effects

Creators and chemists alike believe Fentanyl to be one hundred times more powerful than morphine or heroin at relieving pain and in its effects on the human body. Fentanyl is considered the strongest opioid narcotic on the American drug market. With this extreme power comes extreme side effects, such as: seizure, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, facial itching, dimness in vision, constipation, dry mouth, insomnia, fatigue, periods severe confusion or "black out", loss of appetite, weight loss, dizziness, hallucinations, vivid and frightening dreams, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, flu-like symptoms, onset sleep apnea, and even suicidal thoughts.

Withdrawal

Due to the increasing availability and extreme strength of Fentanyl, it has become among the most dangerous of commonly abused drugs. Physicians believe that as little as one week of use, even those following their prescriber's dosing instructions, is enough to set off the physical and psychological addictive behaviors that Fentanyl can create.

Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms include: seizure, violent diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle and bone pain, heavy sweating, nervousness, anxiety, "creepy crawly" sensations in limbs, dehydration, loss of appetite, emotional instability, high blood pressure, rapid heart beat, runny nose, fever, constant yawning, insomnia, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

Withdrawal symptoms of Fentanyl can be rather dangerous and even life threatening. Anyone wishing to stop their intake of Fentanyl drugs is advised to seek immediate medical help before changing their daily dosing routines. A medically supervised "taper" (a "taper plan" is the commitment to a gradual reduction in intake, over the period of several weeks or even months, depending on history of use) is the recommended means of stopping the intake of Fentanyl drugs.

Individuals prescribed to Fentanyl drugs often develop a dependency and addiction without even realizing it. Others may seek out Fentanyl via street sales for recreational use and become addicted.

The majority of physicians refuse to prescribe Fentanyl drugs, so patients are forced to seek treatment from Pain Management Specialists. Addicts and dealers will often visit these specialists in hopes of obtaining a prescription, send injured family members for these drugs, or even "doctor shop", which is visiting several physicians until one agrees to prescribe the desired drug of choice.

The prescription drug epidemic is destroying lives world wide, while Fentanyl and other narcotics are being abused more than ever. These facts force us to wonder, are the benefits of these drugs to chronic pain patients worth the death, pain, crimes, and horror of addiction?

Sources:

http://www.wikipedia.com/fentanyl