Fentanyl is used to treat people with cancer. Some versions of fentanyl are fast-acting pain relievers. For example, fentanyl patches are given to those suffering from chronic pain because it can provide relief for 24 to 72 hours. Fentanyl also comes in the form of a small sheet of film intended to set under the tongue to dissolve. There are also preparations made for injection routes. Its efficacy in relieving painful sensations has made a lot of people abuse fentanyl, taking more than what is prescribed by the doctor.
Fentanyl, a synthetic sedative painkiller, is way more potent than heroin or morphine.
- It is almost 100 times stronger than morphine.
- The medication is prescribed to individuals, who are taking opiates for pain relief.
- An individual who is not using opiates, but uses or abuses fentanyl may kill himself (or herself) due to its potency.
- It has fast pain relieving effect, but wanes off rather quickly, too.
A few people, who are dependent on opiates for its painkilling effects, take fentanyl for a so-called “breakthrough” pain. This happens, especially among cancer patients, when severe pain suddenly erupts even when they are under pain medications.
Fentanyl is manufactured in different formulations to lessen the risk of overdose or to avoid the misuse of the drug. While a cancer patient may be prescribed a fentanyl lollipop which is designed to dissolve slowly to kill the pain, it is by the way highly dangerous to inject this drug without medical assistance.
Euphoria By Fentanyl
All opiates may cause euphoria, but the effect quickly fades. After taking fentanyl, the opiate causes drowsiness and sedation, but provides no sense of euphoria. This is part of the tolerance impacts, which is known to be one of the major risks of opiate abuse.
In an attempt to obtain euphoria, a patient will tend to increase the dosage until they overdose. In some urban areas, people have figured out how to overcome overdose, as the trend of blending fentanyl with either cocaine or heroin is becoming more popular.
Experts have concluded that the practice of overdosing is an effect of fentanyl addiction. Some people mix fentanyl because they want to push the limits of the drug’s potency as they seek the same “high” each time.
Life Threatening Effects of Fentanyl
All opiates can suppress breathing; this is why opiates like fentanyl can be life-threatening when an excessive amount is taken. Moreover, death can result when fentanyl is combined with another drug that can also suppress breathing, such as an alcoholic beverage and benzodiazepines.
The drug affects a person the way anesthesia does its thing; the person becomes oblivious to any problem. Opiates can quickly produce tolerance and even pain obstruction and are often characterized by the patient’s desire for a greater amount of drug each intake in order to break through the pain or get the same high effect from a smaller dose taken earlier.
The side effects of Fentanyl are similar to morphine, oxycodone or heroin. Fentanyl users manifest nausea, fatigue, sleepiness, itchiness, and vomiting.
