Opioids cross the placenta and may produce respiratory depression and psycho-physiologic effects in neonates. Prolonged use of opioid analgesics during pregnancy may cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and other negative outcomes such as poor fetal growth. According to the FDA, fentanyl is not recommended for use in labor, when other analgesics are more appropriate. This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention.
Neonatal Respiratory Depression
- Low birth weight is defined as a baby who is born with a weight under 5.5 pounds.
- Likewise, an older study from Anesthesia & Analgesia found that it was both effective and well-tolerated when administered for post-surgical pain.
- Safety and efficacy have not been established in children younger than 2 years of age.
- Unlike Narcan — drug name Naloxone — which reverses the effects of overdoses, ARMR is developing a vaccine that he describes conceptually as similar to a suit of armor.
A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. You may bathe, swim, or shower while you are wearing a fentanyl patch. If the patch falls off during these activities, dispose of it properly.
Drug Categories
If you have a well or septic system, check whether your hospital, pharmacy, or other local organization has a medicine take-back program. The fentanyl patch is designed to deliver a specific dose of fentanyl over the course of three days. When used and removed according to the instructions, the patch still frequently contains enough fentanyl to be lethal to smaller bodies. In the hospital, Fentanyl is most commonly given as an IV injection or an IV drip. The drug can also be given with a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) pump, where the patient presses a button to have a small dose of pain medication delivered through their IV. Preterm labor occurs when contractions result in the cervix opening between 20 to 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Respiratory Depression
There are extended-release fentanyl products that can provide powerful pain relief over a more extended period of time. Fentanyl can also be administered as a film that dissolves under the tongue, and in a hospital setting, it can be injected. It can cause harm or death to people with opioid use disorders or who may have accidental exposure to the drug.
- This can be especially desirable in individuals who are trying to numb past trauma, mental health symptoms, or physical discomfort.
- Store fentanyl patches in a safe place so that no one else can use them accidentally or on purpose.
- Some common long-term side effects include chronic depression, sensitivity to pain, tolerance to pain medications, and anhedonia—the inability to experience pleasure.
- Fentanyl should be used along with your other pain medication(s).
FAQs About the Side Effects of Fentanyl
The medication works by changing how the brain perceives pain. When fentanyl molecules attach to specific receptors, they block pain signals and also trigger the release of dopamine, resulting in both pain relief and a feeling of relaxation. If you have been using this how long does fentanyl stay in your system medicine regularly for several weeks or more, do not change your dose or suddenly stop using it without checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely.
Morgan is a mental health counselor who works alongside individuals of all backgrounds struggling with eating disorders. Morgan is freelance mental health and creative writer who regularly contributes to publications including, Psychology Today. Sober living home Naomi Carr is a qualified mental health nurse with several years of experience working with children and adults in the UK. When starting fentanyl treatment, it may be common to experience some side effects. Often, these will reduce on their own without the need for treatment. If any of these side effects persist or become concerning, it is advised to consult with the prescribing doctor.