Fentanyl (Fentanyl Citrate) - Side Effects and Adverse Reactions

ADVERSE REACTIONS

As with other narcotic analgesics, the most common serious adverse reactions reported to occur with fentanyl are respiratory depression, apnea, rigidity, and bradycardia; if these remain untreated, respiratory arrest, circulatory depression or cardiac arrest could occur. Other adverse reactions that have been reported are hypertension, hypotension, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, emesis, laryngospasm, and diaphoresis.

It has been reported that secondary rebound respiratory depression may occasionally occur postoperatively. Patients should be monitored for this possibility and appropriate countermeasures taken as necessary.

When a tranquilizer such as droperidol is used with fentanyl citrate, the following adverse reactions can occur: chills and/or shivering, restlessness, and postoperative hallucinatory episodes (sometimes associated with transient periods of mental depression); extrapyramidal symptoms (dystonia, akathisia, and oculogyric crisis) have been observed up to 24 hours postoperatively. When they occur, extrapyramidal symptoms can usually be controlled with antiparkinson agents. Postoperative drowsiness is also frequently reported following the use of droperidol.

REPORTS OF SIDE EFFECTS / ADVERSE REACTIONS RELATED TO FENTANYL

Possible Fentanyl side effects / adverse reactions in 63 year old female

Reported by a individual with unspecified qualification from United States on 2007-01-02

Patient: 63 year old female weighing 81.6 kg (179.6 pounds)

Reactions: Incoherent, Speech Disorder, Thinking Abnormal, Fatigue, Dyspnoea, Wheezing, Drug Interaction, Contraindication TO Medical Treatment, Cough

Suspect drug(s):
Fentanyl

Possible Fentanyl side effects / adverse reactions in 65 year old male

Reported by a pharmacist from United States on 2007-01-02

Patient: 65 year old male weighing 93.0 kg (204.6 pounds)

Reactions: Respiratory Disorder, Procedural Complication, Oxygen Saturation Decreased

Adverse event resulted in: hospitalization, disablity

Suspect drug(s):
Fentanyl
    Dosage: 25mcg x3 iv
    Indication: Colonoscopy
    Start date: 2006-12-12
    End date: 2006-12-12

Fentanyl
    Dosage: 25mcg x3 iv
    Indication: Sedative Therapy
    Start date: 2006-12-12
    End date: 2006-12-12

Midazolam HCL
    Dosage: 1mg x3 iv
    Indication: Colonoscopy
    Start date: 2006-12-12
    End date: 2006-12-12

Midazolam HCL
    Dosage: 1mg x3 iv
    Indication: Sedative Therapy
    Start date: 2006-12-12
    End date: 2006-12-12

Other drugs received by patient: Diltiazem HCL; NPH Insulin; Potassium Chloride; Synthroid; Albuterol; Lasix

Possible Fentanyl side effects / adverse reactions in 59 year old male

Reported by a pharmacist from United States on 2007-01-05

Patient: 59 year old male weighing 68.0 kg (149.6 pounds)

Reactions: Procedural Complication, Apnoea

Adverse event resulted in: life threatening event

Suspect drug(s):
Fentanyl

Other drugs received by patient: Sotalol Hydrochloride; Digoxin; Docusate SOD