Common medicinal brand names
Actiq, Durogesic and Sublimaze. Also known as china girl, china white, Bear, dance fever, Goodfella, murder 8, TNT, Tango, horse tranq, and cash
What is fentanyl
Fentanyl is an opioid drug. A doctor can prescribe it for legal use in the treatment of severe pain. Some people use it illegally for recreational use. It is a powerful synthetic drug, similar to morphine but 80 to 100 times stronger.
Fentanyl comes in the forms of pills, patches, powder, solutions, blotters and sprays. Depending on type, it can be swallowed, snorted, injected or used by placing blotter paper in the mouth where it is absorbed. Some people use fentanyl illegally by extracting it from a patch and injecting it. Some people use it as a cutting agent, mixing it with other illicit substances such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.
Effects of fentanyl
Effects depend on the person (age, weight, size, health and tolerance), as well as the amount taken and if it is used with other drugs, including alcohol. Fentanyl patches take up to a day or two to start working, and are removed after three days. Effects of injecting can be felt immediately and may last 12 to 22 hours. The difference between a safe dose and an overdose is small, making it very easy to overdose on this drug
Short-term effects, desired or undesired, may include…
Long-term effects may include…
Effects from overdosing: rapid and shallow breathing, confusion, fainting, cold and clammy skin, low body temperature, bluish skin and nails, unconsciousness and death.
If a person is experiencing an overdose or is unresponsive call 000 for an ambulance. If unconscious, put them in the recovery position. If not breathing, start CPR. Paramedics won’t involve police unless the person is a danger to themselves or others.
How long does fentanyl stay in your system?
Fentanyl can be detected up to 2 to 3 days in urine, up to 2 days in blood, and up to 3 months in hair.
Before: get a prescription from the doctor and follow medical advice. Check with your GP or pharmacist before using other medicines with it, or let your GP know if experiencing negative effects. If taking it for non-medicinal use, tell a friend what you are taking, plan how you are getting home (to avoid driving under the influence) and bring naloxone with you in case of overdose. Injecting is not recommended, though if choosing to inject, get your own clean, sharp syringe and find a clean location.
During: only take the prescribed dose or if using without a prescription, take a low dose and wait to see effects before taking a bit more, don’t take too much, too often. Safely dispose of syringes and patches. It is easy to overdose on this drug.
Avoid: mixing fentanyl with other drugs, including alcohol, using more fentanyl patches than what is prescribed, sharing your medication with others, continuing use while experiencing negative effects, applying heat to patches (heat can cause the body to absorb too much – so fevers, heat lamps, saunas, spas, electric blankets or intense exercise can increase risk of overdose).
It may be a problem if you agree with any of these statements:
In Australia, it is illegal to use or possess fentanyl without a prescription from a doctor, or to sell or give fentanyl patches to someone else for recreational use.
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