What are the long term effects of fentanyl use?

Question

What are the long term effects of fentanyl use?

I have a cousin who has peripheral neuropathy due to damage from chemotherapy. She takes the fentanyl suckers three times a day, they are 600 mcg. each. Does anyone know what the long term efffects of the use of fentanyl are?

Answer 1

Mainly it is going to be physical dependence. I am not sure but I think there can be some liver damage as well. That dose is a Lot of Fentanyl-she must have built up quite a tolerance.
I did read a couple of answers already and yes, ppl have a hard time with understanding the difference between "addiction" and "dependence" I hope she is in with a good Pain management clinic or Dr. What ppl have failed to understand is that what she has is a chronic pain condition. If she is taken off her pain med, yes, she will suffer horrible withdrawals but also, she will again be in excruciating pain. Meds are prescribed with the notion that suffering with the condition is worse than the side effects of the med. This is not recreational drug use but for medicinal purposes. For example, you would take away pain medicine from someone with a chronic pain condition but would you take insulin away from a diabetic?? Whats the difference?? ((these remarks are not meant for the asker but for some that have answered his/her question)) I dont mean to sound harsh but it is hard when ppl dont understand..
And YES, if she ever has to stop taking the fentanyl--be sure she is slowly weaned off and I mean sllooowwwlllyyyyy.. Was your cousin ever on the fentanyl patches?? Most drs like those because they are releasing a continuous dose of med and in theory is keeping the pain on an even keel. They usually also prescribe med for breakthru pain.. .. Are the suckers --well, does she take them at the same times every day? I am just curious.... (sorry I went on and on and said much more than you asked).. She should have periodic lab testing to make sure there is no liver damage etc... ... Also, it is a VERY potent drug, so be sure she locks it up as that dose could kill someone not on them..............(IK, you didnt ask that either...) I am getting sleepy and am starting to ramble........

Answer 2

I had an epidural 5 months ago and am still suffering the side effects. During the labor, hours after the epidural was inserted it stopped being effective. The anesthesiologist came back in and had to reinsert it properly and they gave me more drugs. It felt like they were jamming the needle all around. At first the pain was bearable and just felt a little bruised, but after about a month it started hurting up my spine, not just lower back. I complained for 2 months to my obgyn about the back pain and the only thing they would say is that it is normal and never do anything about it. I finally made an appt. with a real doctor this week and she said she believes I have nerve damage in my spine from what they did during the epidural process. I knew you could experience back pain, but I never knew it would hurt so badly and that it could last this long and possible be permanent. I will not get one next time. Another disappointing, but not so serious effect was that I couldn't wait to sleep on my stomach again after having my baby, but it hurts my back so badly to sleep that way that I just can't do it anymore. :(

Answer 3

Generally,long-term use of Fentanyl can cause dependency (or craving for this drug). Withdrawal symptoms (which is lengthy and physically painful ) take place if drug is stopped abruptly.

Drug tolerance is another long term effect. After a certain period of time of long usage, the drug may not work as well- that would cause a lot of trouble in finding an alternative pain reliever.

Although when Fentanyl is used to treat physical pain, it is extremely unlikely that patients will become addicted to them, obviously, ADDICTION is the other possible long term effect which could be the worst.

As the consequences, any of the side effects of the drug could take place at any time along the usage. Not to forget to mention the possible worst interaction with other drugs and alcohol which can cause respiratory failure.

HOWEVER, the long term effects are not always negative. Most patients can take the prescribed fentanyl for a long period of time and be stabilized on such therapy staying mentally normal and live a normal life - can drive, work, and do whatever else is necessary in their normal life.

Answer 4

I have had several back surgeries and many broken bones due to a spinal injury. Not being able to take Morphine I now take fentanyl just to be able to walk and function. I have came a long way from being unable to walk without a walker or being in a wheelchair and being in god-awful pain... Even though I am not completely pain free I thank God that I have a drug that allows me to have some quality of life, I take a low dosage of which I receive through a pain pump implanted in my back. It s been a long 9 years since my accident a lot of surgeries and a lot of recovery time. finally I found something that works and I actually can go to the gum and do some sort of modified workout program. The only thing is I have notice my hair falling out and my teeth are very weak. This past year I ve spent over $2,000 in dental cost. I was just wondering if anyone has had the same experience that I have had.

Answer 5

Physical dependence does not matter in this case because your cousin is never going to stop using the med. Peripheral neuropathy doesn't go away. Physical dependence occurs when you stop taking it. The only side effect that matters in this case is the fact that with long term use, your cousin may build up a tolerance and eventually need stronger doses.

Answer 6

Let's not forget opiate induced hypersensitivity.

Long term use of any opiate can cause changes on a cellular level that make people MORE susceptible to pain stimuli. Things that you and I would not find painful are extremely painful to these people.

The mechanisms within cells actually change, so that the effect that used to dull pain starts to amplify it. The bottom line is that their pain becomes almost impossible to treat.

It explains why heroin addicts are the biggest babies when it comes to needles.

Peripheral neuropathy might be better treated with a drug like Lyrica or Neurontin. She should see a pain specialist, unless she just likes being hooked on fentanyl.

Answer 7

Aside from developing a horrendous opiate addiction that could take forever to kick there are no lasting long term side effects from fentanyl.
Your major concern should be that she moderate herself and only use the suckers when absolutely necessary - as long term use WILL create a nasty addiction that could stay with her for a very long time.
And as soon as she is able she needs to take a lesser opiate - and continue moving down the opiate line until she needs the lowest dose possible of the weakest opiate.
I was an opiate addict for almost three years and know how terrible it is(it's absolute hell) - please make sure that your cousin is careful and knows what could possibly lie down the road for her if she continues daily use of such a powerful addictive substance.

Answer 8

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Answer 9

Fentanyl is a narcotic. There's nothing special about its effects or side effects when compared to other narcotics, but it is quite potent and in intravenous form very short acting. In a lollipop or patch, of course, that short action doesn't apply, because of the delivery system.

Answer 10

Wow.....and you all must have MD behind your name. Do your research people. There is a plethora of articles on actual CLINICAL STUDIES that have concluded : Long Term use of Fentanyl -particularly the higher doses (me) - actually CHANGE your brain. The functions in areas responsible for the obvious - impulse control, certain emotions, sexual desire, behavior anomalies that were never present.... Etc. These are compromised in ways that you may not even notice. However.....your spouse/partner sure does. Your memory has tanked to the point where you do not even say anything for fear of the spouse/partner reaction. Right? Enough said. I chose to take myself off of 100 MCG on my own.... No hospital. I suffered greatly, but I did it for the health of my true love relationship that I wasn t willing to give up on. I am now Fentanyl free - I take morphine in the mornings. I suffer a lot of pain now. BUT... It is worth it. What fentanyl did to me and actual brain changes.... I will NEVER introduce into our lives again. I am only 42, was super active, and now I have 2 titanium shoulders that have created even more problems. Please do your research. If you are "sensitive" to medications.... For sure check out other alternatives. Please. It s not worth losing the love of my life. I progressively became a woman he did not know. Take my advice.....