What does Fentanyl do?

What does Fentanyl do to the body?

Fentanyl greatly affects opioid receptors in the brain. It also alters the spinal cord functions to lessen the sensation of pain. The opioids receptors found in these brain areas also controls breathing rate.  In higher doses, the drug can completely shut down the respiratory system which could lead to lead.  Fentanyl also controls and dictates how an individual will responds to pain.

Some of the most common side effects of Fentanyl include:

•    It also overstimulates opiate receptors in the brain
•    Affects how the brain process pain
•    Alters pain perceptions and emotions
•    Depresses respiratory system
•    Produces erratic or rapid heart beat
•    euphoric feelings

Similarly, the drug increases the dopamine levels, producing extreme euphoric feelings the ‘high’. Users commonly seek this sensation when using the fentanyl. As the drug produces intense ‘high’, Fentanyl also affects major bodily functions.

Fentanyl Addiction

Prolonged use of Fentanyl often leads to psychological and physical dependence. In such conditions, addiction may develop even if an individual follows a medical prescription. Fentanyl can effectively cure various health problems, but it also has a high potential for abuse.

Drug dealers who sell fentanyl on the street mix the drug with cocaine or heroin. The mixture amplifies fentanyl’s potency, providing a great risk of overdose.

When taken in excess and long-term use, fentanyl can:

•    drug overdose
•    depressed the respiratory system
•    stop breathing
•    brain damage
•    death

Users usually seek the euphoric sensations that fentanyl produces. Addiction can happen anytime even when users are following a direct medical order from their physicians. Unfortunately, various illegal channels sell fentanyl to users who consume the drug recreationally.

Those addicted to fentanyl displays several signs like:

•    stealing prescriptions
•    going from a doctor to another to get prescriptions
•    buying fentanyl from illegal channels like street dealers and illegitimate online pharmacies

Other severe symptoms include:

•    showing withdrawal symptoms if they do not take the next drug dose
•    poor decision making sometimes resulting in risky behaviors
•    several health problems
•    accidental drug overdose
•    coma
•    death

Natural and synthetic opiate is usually measured against morphine when analyzing the drug’s strength. Measured against morphine, fentanyl is about 50 to 100 times more powerful. The Food and Drug Administration warn the medical community about administering fentanyl and its dosage. The drug needs a precise and careful formulation to avoid addiction and overdoses.

How fentanyl is abused

Fentanyl comes in several forms and users take the drug using various ways. Usually, doctors administer the drug via injection in a hospital setting. However, users found more way to abuse the drug like:

•    users often put fentanyl gels found in  transdermal patches under the tongue
•    they stuck fentanyl capsules between their teeth and cheek for continuous drug release
•    most of the times users will squeeze the liquid or gel from the patches to either smoke or ingest the drug extract

Fentanyl is also available as a lollipop sold under the brand name of Actiq. For cancer patients, a sublingual spray can offer as a pain reliever. The drug is marketed under the brand names of:

•    Abstral
•    Duragesic
•    Fentora
•    Lazanda
•    Onsolis
•    Subsys

Doctors usually prescribe fentanyl in forms of:

•    injection
•    lozenges
•    tablets
•    transdermal patch
•    lollipops

Other forms of fentanyl produced in illegitimate laboratories can result in a drug overdose. Because they often mix fentanyl with other illicit substances with no regards of the dosage. They sold fentanyl in various forms such as:

•    powder
•    mix with heroin or cocaine
•    combined with other less powerful opioids
•    smeared on blotted paper

Fentanyl users often take the drug by:

•    snorting
•    injecting
•    ingesting
•    or putting blotted paper in their mouths (this will allow the mucous membrane to absorb the drug)

Side effects of fentanyl

As an opiate drug, side effects of fentanyl are similar to other opiates like drowsiness and euphoria. But the exceptional strength of the drug makes it unusual for building tolerance for opiates.  Some users who used fentanyl for their severe pain may not be able to get pain relief from other opiates. For the reason, that fentanyl has a fast tolerance building effect.

Fentanyl users may experience two kinds of side effects from the drug, one for the drug and other from withdrawal symptoms.  Because Fentanyl is a powerful drug, its effects can also be very intense. But with the help of the best rehab clinic in your area these effects can be minimized.

Side effects of Fentanyl include:

•    Nausea
•    Vomiting
•    Dizziness
•    Drowsiness
•    Lethargy
•    Tiredness
•    Body weakness
•    Shortness of breath
•    Difficulty breathing
•    Swelling of  extremities (hands, feet, and ankles)
•    Headaches

Effects of Fentanyl withdrawal:

•    Extreme restlessness
•    Stomach cramps
•    Insomnia
•    Nausea
•    Vomiting
•    Yawning
•    Sweating
•    Watery eyes and runny nose
•    Chills
•    Muscle and bone pain
•    Anxiety
•    Irritability
•    Weakness
•    High blood pressure

Fentanyl side effects could cause severe discomfort and pain to users.  To avoid going through such experience users need to continuously take the drug, builds up tolerance resulting to drug overdose. Somehow, these users are stuck in cycle, unable to break free.  They make irrational decision which could lead to dangerous situations, not just for them but for their loved ones as well. Seeking medical help to quit fentanyl addiction is imperative. The sooner it get treated, the better for the users to regain their lives back.

Dr. Vikram Tarugu MD

Dr. Vikram Tarugu, M.D, is the CEO of Detox of South Florida, Inc and medical professional focused on addiction. A veteran in the medical field with over 25 years of professional experience. He is a consultant for many South Florida Rehab centers. Patients travel from allover the US to seek his help with addiction and Hepatitis C treatment.