Fentanyl is a strong painkiller. It is used to relieve a sudden flare-up of cancer pain.
Take Fentanyl exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
This medicine is available as a sublingual tablet or spray.
If you are taking the sublingual tablet, do not swallow, chew or crush the tablet. Place the sublingual tablet under your tongue until it dissolves.
Water may be used to moisten the mouth before taking the sublingual tablet. Do not consume any food or drink when taking this medicine until it has completely dissolved.
If you are taking the sublingual spray, spray under the tongue and wait for 30 to 60 seconds. Do not spit or rinse your mouth.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the severity of your condition and response to the medication.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- have never taken a strong painkiller before e.g. morphine, oxycodone, hydromorphone
- lung disease
- pain that comes and goes, pain due to recent surgery, mild pain
- bowel disorders e.g. paralytic ileus (bowel obstruction caused by slow movement or paralysis of the intestines)
as Fentanyl may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are breastfeeding. Do not start breastfeeding until at least 5 days after stopping the treatment.
Do not take Fentanyl if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- mouth wounds or inflammation and redness of the inside lining of the mouth
- low blood pressure
- heart disease e.g. slow heartbeat, heart failure, recent heart attack
- breathing difficulties during sleep
- head injury, brain disease or brain tumours
- mood disorders e.g. depression, anxiety disorders
- epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disorder)
- adrenal glands disorders
- prostate enlargement or problems in urinating
- stomach and bowel diseases including constipation
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Fentanyl to the elderly, and those who are cachectic or debilitated (a person who is physically or mentally weak usually due to illness or old age). These people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Fentanyl.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Your blood pressure and pulse rate may drop to unsafe levels without you noticing it. You may need to monitor your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly.
- Routine test (e.g. liver function) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have this test.
- Regular monitoring of lung and mental status, and for signs of drug misuse, abuse or dependence may also be needed.
Fentanyl may cause dizziness, drowsiness, or some problems with your eyesight such as blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, stomach pain, swelling of the insides of the mouth, difficulty sleeping, and excessive sweating.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- severe, slow or shallow breathing, extreme or unusual dizziness or drowsiness
- light-headedness, feeling faint, slow heartbeat, chest pain
- very high fever, rigid muscles, involuntary movements, mental status changes e.g. being too depressed or anxious, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent)
- fits or seizures
- pain or increased sensitivity to pain while taking this medicine
- combination of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, tiredness, weakness and dizziness
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Fentanyl if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat depression e.g. citalopram, duloxetine, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. aripiprazole, haloperidol, olanzapine, risperidone
- medicines for anxiety e.g. alprazolam, diazepam, clonazepam
- medicines for sleep disorder e.g. temazepam, zaleplon, zolpidem
- certain medicines for cold or allergy e.g. clemastine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine
- medicines for HIV infection e.g. ritonavir, nelfinavir, amprenavir, fosamprenavir
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole
- certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin, clarithromycin
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. diltiazem, verapamil
- other strong painkillers e.g. nalbuphine, pentazocine, buprenorphine
- medicine to treat TB (infection known as tuberculosis) e.g. rifampicin
- St. John’s wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Fentanyl.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol and grapefruit or grapefruit juice.
Store in a cool, dry, and secure place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
Always return any used, unused or expired tablets or sprays to the clinic, hospital, or pharmacy for disposal. Do not throw it away in the household waste.
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