Fentanyl
By Sammi Jay and Marlena Culver
What is it?
Fentanyl is a type of opioid, a pain killer like morphine, that is prescribed by doctors to patients to take pain away. This is a drug used strictly for medicinal use after surgery, during chemo, or medical procedures that can be painful.
Picture Source: "Fentanyl." Patch. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2016. <http://patch.com/
massachusetts/wrentham/house-passes-bill-cracking-down-fentanyl-0>.How is it put in the body?
Fentanyl can be put into the body in pill form, through injection, snorted, a patch, or eaten.
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Picture Source: "Fentanyl patch." pi.actavis. N.p., n.d. Web. 7 Apr. 2016.
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How is it used in medicine? And how does it interact with other substances?
Fentanyl is most common in reducing pain in cancer and surgery patients in a hospital. When used with other central nervous system depressants it can cause; low blood pressure, profound sedation, coma, respiratory depression, or even death.
Picture Source: "Fentanyl." Pharnedium. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.pharmedium.com/compounding/service/21/Fentanyl-Bupivacaine/>.Abusing Fentanyl
Fentanyl can be abused in multiple ways. The first way is if you consume someone else's medication with out the purpose of medical use. The second way is using opioids in the wrong way. The third way is consuming the wrong dosage. Lastly is using fentanyl for the sole purpose of getting high.
Street Names
- China White
- Dance Fever
- Good Fellows
- King Ivory
- Murder 8
- China Town
- China Girl
- Apache
- Beans
- Perc-a-Pop
What are the physical (body) and the psychological (mind-brain) effects?
Physical Effects:
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Increased Sweating
- Anorexia
- Insomnia
- Feeling Cold
How is the neurotransmission effected? Long term effects?
In neurotransmission fentanyl blocks pain receptors. The long term effect is addiction.
Time Span of effects
Fentanyl is stronger than most drugs but the effects only last for a very short time. This drug is quick acting and very powerful.
Withdrawal and overdose
When dealing with withdrawal from fentanyl there are several symptoms that can occur that can range from insomnia to irritability. The overdose on fentanyl is very dangerous and requires medical help immediately. Symptoms of an overdose can range from difficulty breathing, to confusion, and even a coma.
Laws
Fentanyl is a highly watched drug. It is legal to give to patients but is observed and tabbed by the drug enforcement administration which ensures that no doctors give it recreational users or the wrong people. If caught with fentanyl and with no prescription the person will receive jail time and a fine. The second and third offenses will have even higher consequences.
Support Systems Available
Recoveries are different based on addiction severity. Professional medical supervision is essential to recovery. Despite he difficulty recovering from this drug, help is only a phone call away and support groups are available.
#AskAnAddict - Fentanyl - Part 1