fentanyl
Fentanyl patch should be used only for ongoing pain that requires strong narcotic pain medications at all times for an extended period and for pain that cannot be relieved by quick-acting narcotics (for use as needed) or non-narcotic pain relievers. [1]
Fentanyl crosses the placenta and has been used safely during labor. [2]
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid. [...] Transdermal patches are used in the management of chronic pain in patients who require continuous opioid analgesia for pain. [3]
Fentanyl acts upon specific receptors in your brain and spinal cord to decrease the feeling of pain and to reduce your emotional response to pain. [4]
This medication should never be given to another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction. [5]
Patches have also been frozen, cut into pieces and placed under the tongue or in the cheek cavity for drug absorption through the oral mucosa. [3]
Once the patch is applied, the medicine is slowly absorbed through your skin into the bloodstream to help control your pain. [6]
It should only be used for patients who have been using moderate-to-large amounts of a powerful narcotic medication (e.g., morphine) regularly. [1]
This medication is not for treating pain that is not cancer-related, such as general headaches or back pain. [5]
Patients are considered opioid-tolerant if they are taking at least 60 mg morphine/day, 30 mg oral oxycodone/day, 8 mg oral hydromorphone/day, 50 mcg transdermal fentanyl/hour, or an equivalent dose of another opioid for 1 week. [2]
A narcotic analgesic used in combination with other drugs before, during, or following surgery and also for chronic pain management. [6]
Use of this medication by someone who is not regularly taking narcotic pain relievers can cause serious (possibly fatal) breathing problems (e.g., very slow and shallow breathing). [1]
Fentanyl can cause your body to expect this medicine daily (drug dependency) if it is used for longer than a week or so. [4]
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Fentanyl is a potent synthetic (man-made) narcotic. [7]
Sources:
[1] Fentanyl TD : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures …
[2] Fentanyl
[3] FENTANYL (Trade Names: Actiq?, FentoraTM, Duragesic?)
[4] Fentanyl
[5] Fentanyl Information from Drugs.com
[6] fentanyl: Definition from Answers.com
[7] Fentanyl Transdermal System (Duragesic)Drug Information by …