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Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid, and doctors will prescribe it for severe or chronic pain. There are two main types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical and illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
The effects of fentanyl are pain relief and euphoria. The results are fast-acting, so they have the potential for misuse or dependence.
Fentanyl analogs are similar in chemical structure to fentanyl and are manufactured in labs illicitly. Another dangerous illicitly made opioid, U-47700, is linked to overdoses and analogs.
To put in context how dangerous fentanyl can be, an average of 5 Oregonians die every week from an opioid overdose.
Doctors will prescribe the synthetic opioid fentanyl for cancer patients and those with severe pain. People after post-surgical operations may be prescribed fentanyl. People in late cancer stages or terminally ill and with chronic pain may be prescribed fentanyl.
According to the Oregon Poison Center, fentanyl is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
Fentanyl is a powerful analgesic used for pain, so doctors often prescribe it for many different reasons.
Some reasons doctors prescribe fentanyl:
Like many opiates, the effects that make fentanyl effective at treating pain are the exact effects that make it such a dangerous opioid.
There are some long-term side effects associated with fentanyl use.
Some long term mental side effects are:
Some long term physical side effects may be :
There are also some short-term mental and physical effects of fentanyl use.
Some of the short term mental side effects are:
Some possible short-term physical side effects may be:
Some of the common side effects associated with fentanyl use are:
There are also a few rare side effects of fentanyl use and other opioids.
Some rare side effects could be:
Fentanyl directly affects the central nervous system (CNS). Some effects include drowsiness, sedation, and consciousness impairment. Fentanyl can also cause problems in the CNS with someone's ability to communicate correctly.
Sleep disturbances are also common.
In addition, long-term doses of fentanyl cause a decrease in physical movement. This would sometimes make it hard to drive a vehicle or negatively affect walking and coordination.
Other areas of the body that are affected include:
After repeated fentanyl use, physical dependence sets in as little as two weeks. After that, the body will become dependent on the substance. There may be less time between doses, and people will begin to suffer withdrawal symptoms if they discontinue use.
Some signs of withdrawal from fentanyl include:
Fentanyl can cross the blood-brain barrier making it a fast-acting opioid. As a result, immediate pain relief, pleasure, and sedation occur shortly after someone ingests the substance.
Once inside the brain, fentanyl will connect to opioid receptors that affect many different brain areas.
Fentanyl directly works on the central nervous system receptors responsible for pain, motivation, and reward.
The body produces pain-relieving chemicals naturally. Opioids attach to receptors in the brain and spinal cord and block the perception that there is pain.
Drugs like Acetaminophen target the pain in the body, and opioids like fentanyl trick the brain into thinking that there is no pain. This chemical message produces a feeling of well-being in the brain.
The brain's reward system is affected when fentanyl is inside, making it potentially dangerous for physical dependence.
Opioid receptors are related to mood, pain, and reward. Therefore, mood swings are also common with fentanyl use.
Over time, fentanyl use can slow down the natural production of dopamine, our feel-good chemical. The brain will then trigger cravings for the opioid and eventually rely on the opioid for dopamine instead of producing the chemical naturally on its own.
When the brain stops making dopamine on its own, some side effects may be present.
They include:
Often hallucinations are more common in withdrawal from opioids like fentanyl.
There are some reports of hallucinations in a hospital setting. However, it is unclear if fentanyl triggers these hallucinations or if they are from another psychiatric condition.
Opioid-induced hallucinations are reported and usually are auditory or visual in nature.
First, fentanyl is so dangerous because it is such a potent opioid. The neurotransmitters involved will reinforce the brain's reward center to want the substance again and again. Physical dependence is then possible, and if higher doses are needed to produce similar effects, the risk of overdose is also greater.
Cravings may occur within two weeks of regular fentanyl use.
Some dangerous side effects also include:
Of course, the most dangerous side effect of fentanyl use is overdose.
Not only is pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl potent, but illicit fentanyl is just as strong, if not occasionally stronger.
Oregon recognized its first death due to an illicit fentanyl overdose in 2014, with a peak of 73 illicit fentanyl deaths in 2018.
Overdoses from illicit fentanyl are still on the rise. An issue occurring in our state is counterfeit prescription pills like oxycodone being made from fentanyl.
Song for Charlie is a family-run nonprofit charity program committed to raising awareness about fake pills made out of fentanyl. The organization educates young people about counterfeit drugs made with lethal doses of fentanyl.
Charlie was their son who overdosed on a pill made from fentanyl that was supposed to have been a much less potent opioid prescription pill.
Unfortunately, fentanyl is in counterfeit drugs in our area, and recreational users are falling victim to fatal overdoses without knowing they ingested fentanyl. This is one reason fentanyl testing strips, while not perfect, can be helpful.
More and more organizations are desperately trying to educate young people on the dangers of fentanyl use.
All opioids come with a risk of overdose if used in large quantities too often, but fentanyl is more powerful than most forms commonly found in prescription pills or heroin. As a result, the people who are unknowingly ingesting the substance are at significant risk of overdose.
Not only are there counterfeit pills made with fentanyl, but many other drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, and MDMA, are also being cut with fentanyl.
Illegal fentanyl is cheaper to produce, and fatal doses are sometimes put into other substances such as cocaine or meth. This is especially dangerous to those who have no opioids tolerance.
Some signs of a fentanyl overdose may include:
If you see signs of a fentanyl overdose, it is wise to call 911 immediately.
Medical professionals should have Naloxone on hand, which can safely counter the effects of fentanyl quickly. The Save Lives Oregon Clearinghouse coalition provides free Naloxone to organizations in the community throughout the state of Oregon.
According to the Drug Enforcement Agency or DEA, a fatal dose of fentanyl can be around 2 milligrams. 42% of the pills confiscated with fentanyl in them had at least 2 mg, which is potentially a lethal dose.
If you have adverse side effects from fentanyl use, there are some ways to cope with them right now.
Some ways to cope may include:
Last year, Oregon overdose deaths increased by 41% compared to a 16% increase nationwide. This coincides with a surge of illicit fentanyl in Oregon.
Fentanyl use disorder does not have to be your life forever. If you are concerned about withdrawal symptoms, treatment options are available to withdraw safely and medically minimize side effects.
Many people have felt the way you do and made the first step to lifelong recovery. It can be scary, but now is a crucial time to seek treatment with overdoses so high around us.
Treatment for fentanyl addiction at Serenity Lane begins with a detox program at our inpatient facility in Coburg, Oregon. Detox is a safe and effective way to come off of fentanyl medically.
We offer the a full continuum of care, with detox being the first step in your recovery program.
We also provide is Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which uses therapy and medications to treat a fentanyl use disorder in addition to our residential treatment center in Coburg, Oregon and our seven intensive outpatient locations across the state.
Everyone has different needs, and Serenity Lane offers individualized, personal treatment plans that uniquely fit your life and recovery.
If you or a loved one are suffering from a fentanyl use disorder, reach out today at (800) 543-9905.
You do not have to feel alone. We are here, willing to help you with a successful recovery.
It depends on the amount that a person took and how they ingested it. You will feel most side effects from about fifteen minutes into around 4 to 6 hours later.
Some side effects like feeling tired and groggy can last up to a week after the last use of fentanyl.
Fentanyl is used for the treatment of chronic pain. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, and, for those who suffer from chronic severe pain, it can help them live a more leisurely life—especially terminally ill people who want to live out their final days more comfortably.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid. Therefore, it is manufactured in a lab, unlike traditional opioids derived from the opium poppy plant.
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