Fentanyl Side Effects to be Aware of

What follows are details on the various fentanyl side effects that you are advised to learn about prior to commencing taking this particular drug. As with any drug there is always the possibility of you developing some kind of a reaction against it, but they are generally grouped into two categories according to how common they are or how severe the side effects may be.

Fentanyl itself is a drug that is prescribed to people in order to deal with cancer related pain and it is not be given to treat more common ailments such as back pain or regular headaches. It is classified as being an opioid pain medication and it is taken in conjunction with other types of narcotic pain medication that gives some relief around the clock.

Common, but mild fentanyl side effects.

The majority of people will have no reaction to taking fentanyl and even those that do will tend to only develop some of these milder ones and they will pass in next to no time. There will generally be no need to seek any medical attention with these side effects unless they do persist for quite some time or they appear to get worse over a number of days.

The mild side effects include a feeling of anxiety, confusion, problems walking, a general dizzy feeling, drowsiness, headaches, itching, dry mouth, indigestion, a feeling of nausea, and actual vomiting. As was previously stated they are more of an inconvenience rather than anything to be concerned about so do give them time to see if they settle themselves before approaching your doctor for some medical advice.

Rarer, but more severe fentanyl side effects.

In rare cases people may develop more severe side effects to fentanyl and if this does happen, then the advice is to consult a doctor and get some medical help immediately. These side effects are not listed to scare you as they do only happen in extreme cases and indeed some may have occurred during trials and were not directly related to fentanyl itself, but due to laws related to medication they must still be included in the warnings in order to make you aware of it.

These more severe side effects cover reactions such as your vision becoming blurred, feeling faint on a regular basis, having hallucinations, the potential for seizures, developing muscle rigidity, dizziness that is persistant, headaches, your heartbeat becoming slower and more irregular, your breathing also becoming slower and shallower, and a general weak feeling throughout the body. There is also the potential to have some kind of an allergic reaction to fentanyl and this can easily be identified due to the person developing a rash, hives, a tightness in the chest, breathing problems, and swelling around the face, but in particular the mouth, lips, and tongue.

As with any kind of drug there are also various situations where it really should not be taken due to how it can react with other medical conditions or other medications that you may be taking. It is best to avoid fentanyl if you suffer from breathing related conditions or have had some kind of brain injury at some point in the past.

People who should avoid taking fentanyl.

Fentanyl should not be taken if you have previously used a MAO inhibitor at some point in the previous two weeks. You should also inform your doctor of any history of breathing issues as well as any head injuries that have occurred quite recently. You are also best to advise them of having had any mental illness as well as seizures and also inform them if you are pregnant or breastfeeding as it is still unknown as to the effect it may have on an unborn baby or your child.

Those are the different fentanyl side effects to be aware of, but it is worth repeating once more that the chances of you developing any of them are relatively small and if you are unfortunate enough to do so, then the side effects will tend to pass as your body grows accustomed to having the drug in your system. You will only then be required to seek medical attention if they get worse or if you are unfortunate enough to be one of the very few people that have a more serious reaction to it.