Fentanyl (Transmucosal)

Transmucosal fentanyl is often prescribed to cancer patients who experience pain despite being on narcotic pain medication. This type of fentanyl is meant to dissolve slowly in the mouth and is often manufactured in the form of a lollipop. It helps manage breakthrough pain, or pain that no longer responds to other narcotic medications.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication contains a different amount of fentanyl than other medications containing fentanyl. Patients should not substitute this medication for other types of fentanyl, as it can lead to a fatal overdose to do so. The medication should also only be used to control pain that doesn’t respond to other narcotic medications and should not be used to manage pain other than breakthrough cancer pain in order to avoid overdose.

This medication is fatal to children. There is a greater risk of accidental poisoning with this type of fentanyl because it resembles candy. The medication should be kept out of reach of children.

Patients who have a history of narcotics addiction should not use this medication, as it is highly addictive.