The dope on fentanyl

It is used to treat pain and can be administered intravenously, as a skin patch, or as a lozenge or effervescent tablet. The Food and Drug Administration has issued various warnings about the drug over the years, especially fast-acting versions. A 2007 statement from the FDA said it should be used only to treat chronic cancer pain.

Additional concerns about fentanyl have been issued by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDA's warnings have focused on the use of fentanyl in combination with street drugs, such as heroine.

Interdisciplinary pain management and prevention offer positive results (04/18/13)
Early identification works best (04/18/13)
WCRI study shows wide variations in narcotics prescribing patterns (08/08/11)
WCRI narcotics study points up need for additional research (08/08/11)
Physicians' group seeks FDA label change to combat opioid misuse (10/01/12)

"Fentanyl's superior potency makes it a good medication for pain and a good target for abuse," said NIDA Director Dr. Nora D. Volkow. "And while it may not be as familiar as other prescription opiates or street drugs like heroin, it is causing a wave of overdoses and deaths, not from its diversion for nonmedical purposes but likely a result of illicit drug manufacturing."

Read more at the WorkersComp Forum homepage.

June 13, 2011

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