Fentanyl is an opioid created by humans to treat severe pain and get some relief. Compared to morphine, it is 50–100 times more potent.
The medication interacts with brain receptors to induce sensations of pleasure, satisfaction, and pain alleviation. Due to its euphoric impact, this prescription medicine carries a high risk of addiction. Drug dealers frequently mix fentanyl with other substances since it is inexpensive to produce and a little goes a long way.
Let’s look at some of the interesting facts about Fentanyl.
Doctors Prescribe Fentanyl For Treatment
Doctors often prescribe fentanyl to patients who suffer from severe pain due to serious injury, cancer, nerve damage, or major surgery. However, before prescribing the drug, doctors ensure that you are not allergic to any narcotic pain medication.
Fentanyl Can Be Dangerous And Life Taking
If you are wondering why is fentanyl so dangerous, it is because often fentanyl is marketed as a substance other than fentanyl or blended with other substances, such as prescription drugs. This poses a risk since many people may take fentanyl without realizing it or intending to, which can lead to accidental overdoses or fatalities.
Misuse of opioids can slow breathing and result in hypoxia. Your brain may experience psychological and neurological negative effects from insufficient oxygen, such as unconsciousness, brain damage, or even death.
People Misuse Fentanyl In Different Ways
NIDA suggests that doctors may recommend fentanyl as an injection, a skin patch, or as pain-relieving lozenges that dissolve in the mouth. However, illegal fentanyl is offered for sale as a powder, nasal drops, nasal sprays, dissolvable paper, or pills.
Fentanyl can be smoked/inhaled, injected, and snorted by abusers. It can provide a thrill and start working almost instantaneously. People typically overdose within the first five minutes of ingesting it, but it can be difficult to anticipate when they will do so because other factors like tolerance and substance mixing are also at play.
Naloxone Is The Reverse Of Opioid
An opioid overdose can be reversed with the drug naloxone. But because fentanyl is so powerful, it might take several doses of naloxone to reverse a fentanyl overdose.
Avoid Drinking With Fentanyl
Never combine alcohol with fentanyl. There could be fatal consequences that may even lead to death. You may have trouble thinking or reacting when using fentanyl. Prior to fully understanding how this medication will impact you, refrain from using machinery or driving. Falls and other mishaps can be brought on by vertigo or extreme drowsiness. Fentanyl may interact with grapefruit juice to cause undesirable side effects.
Using Fentanyl During Pregnancy Can Affect The Baby
Your unborn child could develop a dependency on opioids if you take them during pregnancy. After the baby is born, this may result in withdrawal symptoms that are potentially fatal. It is crucial that the right care is provided after delivery because babies born addicted to opioids may require medical attention for several weeks.
To Wrap Up
Those who suffer from severe or chronic pain disorders can significantly reduce their pain with the help of the extraordinarily strong opioid, fentanyl. However, it has the potential to significantly harm or even kill those who have opioid use disorders or who unintentionally come into contact with the drug. It is extremely important to watch out for the signs and use of opioids.