Fentanyl (Buccal)

Fentanyl is a strong painkiller that is used in conjunction with other narcotic painkillers to control pain related to cancer in patients who need round-the-clock pain management. This pill controls breakthrough pain–pain that does not respond to other painkillers. It comes in the form of a tablet or lozenge; some drug companies offer it as a medicated lollipop.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication should only be used by patients who are over the age of 16 and are on narcotic pain medication for cancer-related pain. Taking this medication for other types of pain can be fatal; patients may experience problems breathing as a result of the medication’s strong narcotic content.

This medication must be kept away from children. Accidental ingestion of any portion of a tablet by a child can be fatal.

Patients who have a history of narcotics abuse should not use this medication, as it can be habit-forming. Doctors also should ascertain that patients are not opioid-intolerant before prescribing this medication.