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Fentanyl i.v. (intravenous) is very widely used method for both analgesia (pain relief) and anesthesia (sedation) for adult and pediatric patients. This completely synthetic opioid drug was first synthesized in the late 1950s, and by the 1960s fentanyl i.v. drips were already being used in hospital operating rooms and ICUs (intensive care units) across the United States, under the brand name "Sublimaze."

Pain Relief, Sedation

Fentanyl i.v. is often used before surgery or invasive procedures in combination with another drug (such as midazolam) to sedate a patient. Fentanyl in other, non-i.v. forms — such as tablets, lozenges and lollipops — is also prescribed for pain control in patients with chronic pain (e.g., from cancer or other life-threatening diseases).

Fentanyl Facts: An Extremely Powerful Opioid

All opioid drugs work the same way —by binding to the human body's opioid receptors. Easily manufactured in laboratory settings, Fentanyl is the most widely used opioid analgesic in the world. When a Fentanyl i.v. push is used for an "opioid-naïve" patient, the lowest analgesic dose would be 10 mcg (micrograms) — a very tiny amount, since Fentanyl is an extremely powerful drug.

Fentanyl I.V. from a Variety of Sources

Fentanyl i.v. (perhaps more accurately called "fentanyl citrate i.v.") has been available as 0.05 mg base/mL-dosage injections from the following companies:

• Sublimaze; made by Akorn
• Fentanyl Citrate Preservative-Free; made by Baxter Healthcare
• Fentanyl Citrate; made by Hospira
• Fentanyl Citrate Preservative-Free; Hospira

Fentanyl Side Effects

The potential side effects of fentanyl are those seen in essentially all opioids:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• constipation
• dry mouth
• abdominal pain
• anorexia and weight loss
• anxiety, nervousness
• apnea
• asthenia (weakness)
• confusion
• depression
• dizziness
• dyspepsia (indigestion)
• fatigue, somnolence
• flu-like symptoms
• hallucinations
• headache
• hypoventilation
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• urinary retention

Fentanyl Risks

The appearance and severity of Fentanyl side effects depend in part on the dosing and the patient's factors (e.g., his or her medical condition, age, weight, procedure or treatment). As with all major drugs, the potential side effects of Fentanyl i.v. are the trade-off for its benefits and effectiveness as an analgesic.

Fentanyl treatments have had extremely serious effects on many people — and there have even been Fentanyl-related deaths. Fentanyl products have been recalled, and the FDA has issued multiple safety advisories to patients and physicians regarding this drug. If you have been harmed by Fentanyl i.v. or another Fentanyl product, contact a Fentanyl lawyer today.