Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a strong opioid which may be used in the management of cancer pain.  Fentanyl patches may be suitable in patients who have:
• Intolerable side effects with oral morphine e.g. intractable constipation and vomiting (despite appropriate antiemetics) and hallucinations (despite haloperidol)
• Difficulty swallowing oral medication
• Poor compliance with oral medication
• Renal impairment as morphine may accumulate

Further information on the use of the Transdermal Fentanyl Patch is available below in downloadable pdf format