Fentanyl

An opioid analgesic drug that is given by injection for pain relief during surgery and also to enhance general anaesthesia (see anaesthesia, general). Fentanyl is also used in the form of a skin patch to control the severe chronic pain of conditions such as cancer. In common with other opioid drugs, fentanyl has side effects that include depressed breathing, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. The administration of patches may be associated with local irritation of the skin.

 

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