Google trend - Fentanyl

Fentanyl - 10 things to know with detail

• What is Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is typically used to treat severe pain, particularly in patients who are already tolerant to other opioids.
• Medical Uses: Fentanyl is commonly used in medical settings for pain management, such as during surgery, for chronic pain management, and for breakthrough pain in cancer patients.
• Illicit Use: Fentanyl is also illegally manufactured and sold on the streets. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit pills, to increase their potency. This has led to a spike in overdose deaths in recent years.
• Routes of Administration: Fentanyl can be administered in various ways, including injection, transdermal patches, lozenges, nasal sprays, and tablets. Illicit users often inject, snort, or smoke fentanyl for its powerful effects.
• Side Effects: Common side effects of fentanyl include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and respiratory depression. Overdose can result in slowed or stopped breathing, coma, and death.
• Tolerance and Dependence: Like other opioids, fentanyl can lead to tolerance and physical dependence with long-term use. This can result in withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued.
• Overdose Risk: Fentanyl overdose can occur rapidly due to its potency. Signs of overdose include pinpoint pupils, slowed breathing, extreme drowsiness, and unconsciousness. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose.
• Legal Status: Fentanyl is a controlled substance in most countries due to its high potential for abuse and addiction. Possession, distribution, and trafficking of fentanyl without a prescription are illegal.
• Risk Factors: Certain factors can increase the risk of fentanyl overdose, including using it without a prescription, combining it with other drugs or alcohol, and using higher doses than prescribed.
• Treatment: Treatment for fentanyl addiction typically involves a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and support groups. In severe cases, detoxification and inpatient rehabilitation may be necessary to safely manage withdrawal symptoms and address underlying issues.