Fentanyl Pain Patch Side Effects

As with any prescription drug there are certain side effects and risks of Fentanyl use. However, Fentanyl use can be considered more dangerous than other prescription drugs because it is an opioid. This means it poses a risk of addiction. Additionally, Fentanyl is very powerful. In fact, it is 100 times more powerful than the opioid pain reliever morphine.

Common Side Effects of Fentanyl

Fentanyl has a number of side effects associated with its use. Major side effects of Fentanyl include nausea, diarrhea, constipation, weakness, confusion, dry mouth, and excessive sweating. Minor or less common side effects of Fentanyl would include headache, dizziness, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, hallucinations, nervousness, anxiety, depression, indigestion, flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, apnea, and urinary retention.

Risk of Respiratory Depression

One major risk of Fentanyl that has emerged in recent years is respiratory depression. Medically this is referred to as hypoventilation. In fact, some experts believe that this risk of Fentanyl may have caused a number of deaths. This has led to an investigation by the Food and Drug Administration.

Risk of Fentanyl Overdose

Another risk of Fentanyl emerged in recent years when several suspected overdoses of the drug occurred. It is believed that a defect in skin patches caused the Fentanyl to release too soon, administering dangerous and in some cases fatal doses of the drug. In response, Johnson & Johnson has issued updates on the proper use of the product and its potential dangers.

Risk of Fentanyl Addiction

Another risk of Fentanyl revolves around potential addiction and abuse of the drug. Fentanyl is considered to be a controlled substance and narcotic because of its ability to become habit forming. Although Fentanyl yields a high similar to that of heroin, it is considered more addictive than heroin because the effects of the high are more short lived.

Consult a Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been harmed by the use of Fentanyl, you should contact a Fentanyl attorney to find out whether you are eligible for compensation for your injuries or hardship.