What is fentanyl used for?
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid painkiller that can be prescribed to treat severe chronic or acute pain. It’s also commonly used as an adjunct in anesthesia and sedation, especially when the patient has been given other drugs such as midazolam or propofol. In addition, it may be administered by injection into muscle tissue or subcutaneously through a catheter placed under local anesthesia.
How does fentanyl work?
The body produces its own natural opioids which are released during physical activity or emotional stress. These endorphins help reduce feelings of discomfort and promote relaxation. When taken orally, they act on receptors located throughout the brain and spinal cord. This helps relieve symptoms associated with conditions like arthritis, backaches, headaches, migraines, menstrual cramps, nerve damage, post-operative pain, sports injuries, and tension. Fentanyl works similarly but more quickly than morphine because it binds directly to opiate receptors without first being converted to another chemical form.
What is fentanyl made from?
Fentanyl is considered to be a synthetic opiate, which means it is created using chemicals. Some of the chemicals use to make fentanyl include acetone, ethyl alcohol and phenylethylketonurics. The PEK compound is derived from phenytoin, one of the most common anti-seizure medications. Phenytoin was originally developed as a treatment for epilepsy, however, it was later found to have many side effects including drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, skin rash, itching, dry mouth, blurred vision, changes in mood, depression, anxiety, hallucinations, seizures, heart problems, high blood pressure, low blood sugar levels, liver failure, kidney disease, increased risk of stroke, and death.
China has enabled cartels in Mexico to create large amounts of fentanyl by sending them the regulated chemicals required to synthesize it. They then sell this product to Mexican drug traffickers who distribute it across North America.
What side effects does fentanyl have?
Fentanyl Side Effects
Fentanyl can have many different side effects, including nausea, difficulty breathing, and even death, even at very small doses. It’s most notable side effect is how incredibly addictive it is. Not only is it 40 times more powerful than heroin by weight, but the body filters it out much quicker than it’s predecessor, heroin. That means the sick feelings of withdrawal come on much faster, and people also get addicted faster. It’s no wonder that practically everyone using it is prone to abuse, even if prescribed.
Why do people abuse fentanyl?
People often misuse prescription medication due to their easy access and lack of knowledge about how these substances affect the human body. Many users believe that taking too much will not cause any harm since there are no known lethal doses. Others take advantage of the fact that some prescription medications are available at lower prices than street drugs.
What does it feel like to take Fentanyl?
It feels similar to other opioid narcotics such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and codeine. However, unlike those three, you don’t need to go through an agonist phase before feeling anything. You just start getting high right away. In addition, when you stop taking fentanyl, your tolerance builds up so fast that you may experience severe withdrawals within hours.
It is difficult to describe what opiates feel like. Most people say that they “feel good” after taking them. But that doesn’t mean that all opiates work the same way. Opioids produce euphoria by binding to specific receptor sites in the brain. There are two types: mu and kappa. Mu receptors bind naturally occurring peptides called enkephalins while kappa receptors bind nonpeptide compounds called dynorphines.
Would fentanyl be used as a sedative?
Yes! This is why it is commonly used during surgery or dental procedures where patients require deep relaxation. It’s especially short half life that makes it especially addictive works quite well in these scenarios, since the patient is able to recover quickly.
Could fentanyl cause tachycardia?
Tachycardia occurs because opioids stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. When taken orally, fentanyl causes a slow release into the bloodstream over time. If injected directly into muscle tissue, it produces a quick spike in blood concentration followed by rapid decline. Tachycardia is caused by the combination of both mechanisms.
How long does fentanyl stay in my system?
The average duration for which fentanyl stays in the body depends on several factors. The first factor is dose size. A higher dosage results in a shorter period of action. For example, 100 mcg/kg lasts approximately 4-6 hrs whereas 200mcg/kg lasts 2-3 days. Another important factor is route of administration. Intravenous injection provides a longer lasting effect compared to oral ingestion. Finally, metabolism plays a role. People with slower metabolisms tend to retain fentanyl for longer periods of time.
Is fentanyl safe for children?
No. Children should never use this drug. Even though it has been approved by the FDA for adults, its potential risks outweigh its benefits. Some studies show that kids who took large amounts of fentanyl experienced respiratory depression, coma, seizures, cardiac arrest, and even death. Other research shows that children were given smaller dosages than recommended and still suffered from serious adverse reactions.
Are street drugs laced with Fentanyl?
Many people purchasing cocaine, heroin, meth, and pain pills from the street have been surprised to take fentanyl that was laced into their drugs unknowingly. The reasons for this are debated, but there are two popular theories. Firstly, intentional adulteration making other street drugs more addictive. Also, proximity to other drugs causing contamination from using the same scales and facilities.
How lethal is the drug fentanyl?
To put it simply, the a mass of pure fentanyl powder equivalent to the tip of the ballpoint pen is enough to overdose and die.
This question can only really be answered if you know how much you’re getting. In general, most users will experience no ill effects at doses below 50mg. At doses above 150 mg, however, many people report feeling sick, dizzy, nauseated, drowsy, and sleepy. These symptoms usually subside within an hour or so. However, some individuals may become very agitated, combative, paranoid, confused, disoriented, and delusional.
The main issue with fentanyl is how small an active dose is. Especially when you consider that the drug is cut, or mixed with filler in vastly different amounts from batch to batch, messing with Fentanyl is a game of Russian roulette. If anyone you know is using this stuff, please reach out. We’re here to help.