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Actiq

What are opioids?

Opioids, sometimes called narcotics, are a type of drug. They include strong prescription pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, and tramadol. The illegal drug heroin is also an opioid. Some opioids are made from the opium plant, and others are synthetic (man-made).

A health care provider may give you a prescription opioid to reduce pain after you have had a major injury or surgery. You may get them if you have severe pain from health conditions like cancer. Some providers prescribe them for chronic pain.

What are the side effects and risks of opioids?

Opioids can cause side effects such as drowsiness, mental fog, nausea, and constipation. They may also cause slowed breathing, which can lead to overdose deaths. If someone has signs of an overdose, call 911. These signs may include:

  • Very small pupils of the eyes
  • Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
  • Slow, shallow breathing
  • Choking or gurgling sounds
  • Vomiting
  • Limp body
  • Pale, blue, or cold skin
  • Faint heartbeat
  • Purple lips and fingernails

When using opioids, there is also a risk of opioid use disorder (OUD).

What is opioid use disorder (OUD)?

Opioid use disorder (OUD) means that you have a problematic pattern of using opioids. The pattern causes a lot of distress and impairment (meaning that it causes problems in and interferes with your daily life). Instead of OUD, sometimes people use the terms "opioid dependence" and "opioid addiction." Dependence means feeling withdrawal symptoms when not taking the drug. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that causes a person to compulsively seek out drugs, even though they cause harm.

The risk of OUD is higher if you misuse the medicines. Misuse can include taking more than your prescribed dose or taking it more often, using it to get high, or taking someone else's opioids.

Opioid use disorder and overdoses are serious public health problems in the United States. As more people misuse opioids, more women are misusing opioids during pregnancy. This can lead to health risks for the mother and baby. The baby may be born with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS is a group of withdrawal symptoms that a baby has after being exposed to drugs during pregnancy.

Another problem with increased opioid misuse is that it can also lead to more heroin use. There are some people who switch from prescription opioids to heroin because heroin may be cheaper and easier to get.

How are opioid use disorder (OUD) and opioid overdose treated?

There are effective medicines to treat OUD. Using medicines to treat OUD is called medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). MOUD can help you stop using the drug, get through withdrawal, and cope with cravings. It is often combined with behavioral therapy and counseling. Having support from family and friends can also help.

There is also a medicine called naloxone which can treat opioid overdoses. It can reverse the effects of the overdose and prevent death if it is given quickly.

How can I prevent problems when taking prescription opioids?

To prevent problems with prescription opioids, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions when taking them. Do not share your medicines with anyone else. Contact your doctor if you have any concerns about taking the medicines.

NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse

Actiq FDA Approved Drugs

ABSTRAL [Fentanyl CitrateC22H28N2OC6H8O7]
RX
-
eq 0.1mg base (sublingual tablet)
eq 0.2mg base (sublingual tablet)
eq 0.3mg base (sublingual tablet)
eq 0.4mg base (sublingual tablet)
eq 0.6mg base (sublingual tablet)
eq 0.8mg base (sublingual tablet)
Sentynl Theraps IncJan 7, 2011
  • Management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer.
efficacy
3.0  (1)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

ACTIQ [Fentanyl CitrateC22H28N2OC6H8O7]
RX
-
eq 0.2mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 0.4mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 0.6mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 0.8mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 1.2mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 1.6mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
CephalonNov 4, 1998
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

FENTANYL CITRATE [Fentanyl CitrateC22H28N2OC6H8O7]
RX
-
eq 0.05mg base/ml (injection injectable)
eq 0.2mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 0.4mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 0.6mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 0.8mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 1.2mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
eq 1.6mg base (transmucosal troche/lozenge)
HospiraJan 12, 1985
MallinckrodtOct 30, 2009
Par PharmOct 30, 2009
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

FENTANYL CITRATE PRESERVATIVE FREE [Fentanyl CitrateC22H28N2OC6H8O7]
RX
-
eq 0.05mg base/ml (injection injectable)
HospiraSep 24, 1991
West-ward Pharms IntJul 11, 1984
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

FENTORA [Fentanyl CitrateC22H28N2OC6H8O7]
RX
-
eq 0.1mg base (buccal, sublingual tablet)
eq 0.2mg base (buccal, sublingual tablet)
eq 0.4mg base (buccal, sublingual tablet)
eq 0.6mg base (buccal, sublingual tablet)
eq 0.8mg base (buccal, sublingual tablet)
CephalonSep 25, 2006
  • Management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer by buccal or sublingual administration of fentanyl.
  • Management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

LAZANDA [Fentanyl CitrateC22H28N2OC6H8O7]
RX
-
eq 0.1mg base (nasal spray, metered)
eq 0.3mg base (nasal spray, metered)
eq 0.4mg base (nasal spray, metered)
Depomed IncJun 30, 2011
  • Management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients 18 years of age and older who are receiving and tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain.
  • Management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

SUBLIMAZE PRESERVATIVE FREE [Fentanyl CitrateC22H28N2OC6H8O7]
RX
-
eq 0.05mg base/ml (injection injectable)
AkornApproved Prior To Jan 1, 1982
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

WARNING: Consult a licensed physician in the appropriate field for medical treatment and drug prescription. Do not self medicate.