Fentanyl (Systemic)
Brand Names : Actiq
Precautions While Using This MedicineTransmucosal fentanyl contains a medicine in an amount which
can be fatal to a child
. Patients and their caregivers should keep
transmucosal fentanyl out of the reach of children and discard open units
properly.
Check with your health care professional at regular times while using fentanyl.
Be sure to report any side effects.
Transmucosal fentanyl comes with patient instructions. Read them carefully
before using the product.
This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants
(medicines that can make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS
depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies,
or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; other prescription
pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants;
or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check
with your health care professional before taking any of the other medicines
listed above while you are using this medicine
.
Transmucosal fentanyl may cause some people to become drowsy, dizzy, or
lightheaded, or to feel a false sense of well-being. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines,
or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert
and clearheaded
. These effects usually go away after a few days of
treatment, when your body gets used to the medicine. However, check with your health care professional if drowsiness that is severe enough
to interfere with your activities continues for more than a few days
.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting may occur when you get up
suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen
this problem. Also, lying down for a while may relieve dizziness or lightheadedness.
Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent
this, your health care professional may direct you to take laxatives, drink
a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to
follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead
to more serious problems.
Before having any kind of surgery (including dental
surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge
that you are using this medicine
. Serious side effects can occur if
your medical doctor or dentist gives you certain other medicines without knowing
that you are using transmucosal fentanyl.
If you have been using this medicine regularly for several weeks or more,
do not suddenly stop using it without first checking
with your health care professional
. You may be directed to reduce gradually
the amount you are using before stopping treatment completely to lessen the
chance of withdrawal side effects.
Using too much transmucosal fentanyl, or taking too
much of another narcotic while using transmucosal fentanyl, may cause an overdose.
If this occurs, get emergency help right away
. An overdose can cause
severe breathing problems (breathing may even stop), unconsciousness, and
death. Serious signs of an overdose include very slow breathing (fewer than
8 breaths a minute) and drowsiness that is so severe that you are not able
to answer when spoken to or, if asleep, cannot be awakened. Other signs of
an overdose may include cold, clammy skin; low blood pressure; pinpoint pupils
of eyes; and slow heartbeat. It may be best to have a
family member or a friend check on you several times a day when you start
using a narcotic regularly, and whenever your dose is increased
, so
that he or she can get help for you if you cannot do so yourself.
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