Dangers of Fentanyl: Addiction, Withdrawal, and Side Effects

Fentanyl is an opioid pain reliever. It is a synthetic drug that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. It is primarily used to treat people who have cancer and for patients who undergo surgeries. Subsys is a form of fentanyl that comes in a spray that is applied to the patient’s tongue. Other forms of fentanyl include Actiq, Duragesic, Sublimaze, Abstral, and Lazanda,

Fentanyl abuse

As with other opioids, fentanyl can be abused. Signs of abuse include:

• Breathing that is slowed
• Seizures
• Dizziness
• Vomiting and nausea
• Headaches
• Itching
• Constipation
• Blurred Vision

Fentanyl abuse can cause respiratory failure, which can cause death. Mixing Subsys and other fentanyl products with stimulants and other narcotics increases the risks of serious health problems and death. Subsys and fentanyl are dangerous drugs that should  generally not prescribed for mild, chronic, or acute pain.

Fentanyl addiction

Many people who take Subsys or fentanyl fail to understand how addictive this opioid drug can be. The drug affects the central nervous system, which in turn, can cause large amounts of dopamine to chemically affect the brain. Excessive chemical changes to the brain can cause dependency and addiction. Once a person becomes addicted to fentanyl, they depend on a steady amount of the drug to feel normal. According to the Addiction Center, abuse of fentanyl can quickly escalate to addiction. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the dangers of abuse and addiction and follow the recommended guidelines for prescribing and monitoring the use of fentanyl.

Fentanyl withdrawal symptoms

When addiction to fentanyl occurs, it can take larger and larger amounts of the drug to get the same sensation of relief. Stopping the drug causes a variety of physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. Some of these withdrawal symptoms are:

• Chills
• Sweating
• Vomiting and nausea
• Anxiety
• Breathing fast
• Inability to sleep
• Diarrhea
• Pain in the joints and muscles
• Stomach cramps

The initial withdrawal symptoms feel like the person has the flu and an unusual amount of fatigue. The first week of withdrawal is usually the roughest. Loss of appetite, fever, and mood swings are also common withdrawal symptoms.

A detox, getting the drug out of the patient’s symptoms, should be done with medical supervision. Detox can include incremental decreases in dosage, or use of weaker pain relievers, such as clonidine and buprenorphine.

If you were improperly prescribed Subsys or fentanyl, or if your physician failed to follow proper medical guidelines, including monitoring your treatment, you may have a legal claim against the responsible doctors. You may also have a product liability claim against the makers of the drug. If a loved one died due to an overdose, the family of the deceased has the right to bring a wrongful death claim. To discuss your claim with highly-respected dangerous drug attorneys, please call McGowan, Hood, Felder & Phillips, LLC at 803-327-7800 or complete our contact form to schedule an appointment.