Fentora is a brand name medication that contains fentanyl, a strong synthetic opioid analgesic. The drug can be an effective treatment for severe and breakthrough pain, but unfortunately, many individuals abuse it, especially those who are already addicted to other opioids. This type of misuse can lead to addiction and other serious consequences, so call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? now if you or someone you love needs help for Fentora abuse.

Understanding Fentora

Fentora is a buccal tablet, which means it is placed between the gum and the cheek and then dissolves in the mouth. The brand name drug contains fentanyl, one of the strongest opioid analgesics available for prescription. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, “Fentora is indicated only for the management of breakthrough pain in patients with cancer who are already receiving and who are tolerant to around-the-clock opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain.”

Fentanyl is often abused for its high strength and its ability to cause the same effects as other opioid drugs but on a higher scale. Much of the drug’s abuse is associated with illicitly manufactured and abused fentanyl, but the brand name drug Fentora is often stolen or obtained illegally through doctor shopping or prescription forgery as well. Any way the drug is abused, it can be highly dangerous and addictive.

Fentora Side Effects

DailyMed states that the drug should be used specifically to treat cancer patients suffering from breakthrough pain. It is not meant to be prescribed for use by

• Patients who are not tolerant to opioids
• Patients with acute or postoperative pain
• Patients who do not have another type of opioid medication used consistently to manage their pain

This is because the drug itself is stronger than most other prescription opioids and because it has a host of side effects that its use can cause. The National Library of Medicine lists the most common symptoms as

Loss of appetite is a common side effect of Fentora.

• Drowsiness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Gas
• Heartburn
• Problems urinating
• Headache
• Changes in vision
• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Insomnia or difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Back and chest pain
• Swelling of certain parts of the body

In addition, because it is a buccal tablet, Fentora can cause “pain, sores, or irritation in the mouth” in or around the area where the medication was placed. All of these effects can usually be treated with other medications, or they may go away on their own. However, if you are experiencing issues with any symptoms that do not go away, it is important to contact your doctor immediately.

Dangers of Fentora Use

Fentora can be dangerous in the way all opioid drugs can, but there are other serious side effects and potential risks of which users should be aware. For example, fentanyl is “50 to 100 times more potent than morphine,” according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This makes the drug especially dangerous in an overdose situation.

If a person takes too much Fentora, either accidentally or on purpose, the drug will cause their breathing to slow to a dangerous degree. They may even stop breathing altogether. In addition, if they are unable to get help in time, the individual could also suffer brain damage, fall into a coma, and even die. This outcome is much more likely to occur with a drug as strong as Fentora than a less intense opioid.

Depression and anxiety are also serious potential effects of Fentora use. The drug, like most other opioids, can potentially cause mood swings and can worsen issues with preexisting mood disorders. Even those who don’t already suffer from these types of disorders, however, can also experience intense feelings of depression, anxiety, confusion, and nervousness as a result of taking the medication.

Though rare, some individuals experience frightening hallucinations while taking Fentora. If you believe you are seeing or hearing things that aren’t there or experiencing other types of hallucinations while on the drug, it is important to seek help right away.

Other serious, potential risks associated with Fentora include

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Migraine
• Weight loss
• Disorientation
• Hypertension
• Hypotension

Like any opioid, Fentora too is dangerous for its ability to cause dependence and tolerance. The drug is also extremely intense and its effects are strong, which is why doctors do not prescribe it unless an individual is already tolerant to the effects of opioids. Still, a person can easily experience issues with dependence while taking the medication and, especially, as a result of abusing it.

Fentora Withdrawal Symptoms

Fentora causes intense withdrawal symptoms when taken regularly over a long period of time. Most doctors try to avoid this issue by only prescribing the medication to those who already have another type of opioid prescription and, even then, only when it is absolutely necessary. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the common withdrawal signs and symptoms associated with opioid drugs include:

Anxiety and joint pain are potential Fentora withdrawal symptoms.

• Fast pulse
• High blood pressure
• High body temperature
• Insomnia
• Enlarged pupils
• Abnormally heightened reflexes
• Sweating
• Gooseflesh
• Increased respiratory rate
• Tearing
• Yawning
• Runny nose
• Muscle spasms
• Abdominal cramps
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Bone, joint, and muscle pain

The pain caused during withdrawal from an opioid as powerful as Fentora can be unbearable. Many individuals will turn to abuse in order to avoid it or keep abusing the drug for this reason, even if they no longer experience a strong high. This is why anyone who is dependent on Fentora or any other opioid drug should be weaned off the medication or another opioid slowly in order to avoid these effects.

Fentora Abuse

Unfortunately, many people turn to fentanyl in its many forms as a drug of abuse. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Fentanyl can serve as a direct substitute for heroin in opioid dependent individuals.” This is because the drug is more potent than most other prescription opioids and very similar to heroin. However, it can be even more potent than heroin itself, which is why so many people experience such serious consequences when abusing it.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse states that fentanyl has a greater risk of causing overdose than other opioid drugs, and according to the CDC, overdoses caused by synthetic opioids (of which fentanyl is one) increased by almost 75% from 2014 to 2015. People who seek to misuse fentanyl often do not realize how much more potent the drug is than heroin, which can lead to this serious result.

The brand name medication Fentora is often abused by those who steal or otherwise obtain it illegally. This is just as dangerous as the abuse of illicitly manufactured fentanyl and can just as easily lead to overdose, dependence, and addiction.

Fentora Addiction and Treatment

Those who become addicted to drugs like Fentora put themselves at risk of overdose constantly and will often be incapable of putting an end to their substance abuse on their own. This is because of the intensity of the drug and the results it can cause when abused consistently. In most cases, professional rehab is necessary for a safe, strong recovery.

Patients in Fentora addiction treatment are usually treated for any withdrawal symptoms they are likely to experience first. The patient may be treated with methadone, buprenorphine, or possibly clonidine, given the severity of their symptoms (NLM). Once their withdrawal symptoms have been reasonably managed, patients can begin treatment for their addictions.

In most cases, methadone is the most effective pharmacological treatment for Fentora addiction. Because fentanyl is so potent and its effects so intense, people who use and abuse it can become highly dependent on it. Optimal doses of methadone have been proven to be more effective for the treatment of severe dependencies than buprenorphine, so this is likely the medication with which most patients will be treated (SAMHSA).

However, pharmacological treatments alone are not enough to tackle the issue of severe opioid addiction. Behavioral therapies are also necessary to recovery because they help patients create real change in their actions and beliefs toward their substance abuse, avoid the pitfalls many individuals experience during recovery like triggers and stress, and practice better coping skills for the future. Some of the most commonly used behavioral therapies for the treatment of Fentora addiction include

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• Contingency management
• Motivational enhancement therapy
• Family or couples therapy
• Group therapy
• 12-step facilitation therapy

In addition, support groups can also be helpful to one’s overall recovery. 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous are often sought as supplemental help during or after opioid addiction treatment, and programs like SMART Recovery also exist for those who would prefer not to use the 12-step method. These programs can help build social support, which is critical to a strong recovery.

Seek Help for Opiate Addiction Now

Fentora abuse and addiction can devastate a person’s entire life. Seeking treatment is the safest, most effective answer to this issue, and we can help you find the best rehab program for your needs today. Call 800-442-6158 Who Answers? now and we will match you with the best option for your safe recovery.