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What is Fentanyl? Mental & Physical Effects of it

Initially, Fentanyl was a labeled and unaware toxin. It was first developed in 1959 and was largely used as a medical sedative and pain reliever without the negative effect of nausea. It has a 100-fold higher toxicity than morphine and a 50-fold higher toxicity than heroin.

What is Fentanyl?

It is a strong synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It is a prescribed medicine that is also illegally manufactured and consumed. A drug that’s similar to morphine except that it’s used to treat people who are in a lot of pain, particularly after the operation. As it is also used to treat chronic pain patients who are physically tolerant of other opioids.

Use of Fentanyl:

Fentanyl may be habit-forming, especially with prolonged use. Use it exactly as directed. Do not use a larger dose of it. Do not use the medication more often. Or use it for a longer period of time than prescribed by your doctor. While using fentanyl, discuss with your doctor first. About the pain treatment goals, length of treatment, and other ways to manage your pain.

Heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine are mixed with fentanyl because it produces a high with a small amount of drug, making it a less expensive option. This is especially harmful when users are unaware that their medications may include fentanyl, a cheap but lethal addition. They may be taking higher opioids than their bodies are adapted to, increasing their risk of overdosing.

Mental & Physical Effects of it:

Fentanyl, like heroin, morphine, and other opioid medications, operates by attaching to the body’s nerve terminals, which are present in pain and emotion-controlling parts of the brain. After frequent use of opioids, the brain adapts to the drug, reducing sensitivity and making it difficult to derive pleasure from anything other than the drug.

Relaxation, disorientation, nausea, and other unpleasant side effects might range from mild to severe. Because it is 50 to 100 times more strong than morphine, the negative impacts may be more severe, arrive faster, and persist longer.

  • Drowsiness or fatigue
  • Confusion
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Tightness in the throat
  • Stiff or rigid muscles
  • Relaxation and euphoria
  • Constricted pupils
  • Physical weakness
  • Itching
  • Depressed breathing, shallow breaths, or irregular breaths
  • Slowed heartbeat
  • Sweating
  • Flushing
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Nausea

Effects of Fentanyl overdose:

Even with a valid prescription, tolerance and reliance can develop. when the body requires more of a drug to achieve the same effect. A common occurrence with opioid painkillers that fentanyl is designed to combat, allowing those with severe chronic pain to still receive relief when other opioids fail. To achieve chemical equilibrium, the brain requires a particular amount of substance. A doctor will most likely taper or replace the fentanyl with another medicine. Fentanyl is rarely provided to persons whose pain will go away, therefore tapering off the medicine is uncommon.

Low blood pressure
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Vomiting and nausea
Changes in pupillary size in a limp body
Cold and clammy skin
Lips and fingernails are blue in tone (cyanosis)
Breathing has slowed or ceased.
Low heart rate
Consciousness loss or reduction
Coma

Fentanyl causes serious damage or death to the kid or an adult who has consumed it without the prescription Even partially used fentanyl can contain enough drugs to injure or kill children or adults. Children should not have access to fentanyl.

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What is Naloxone? How does it work?

According to the US state of department health, Preliminary data show 418 overdose deaths in the first three months of 2021 compared to 378 overdose deaths in the first three months of 2020. Of the 418 overdose deaths in 2021, 46% (191) of these deaths are linked to fentanyl. 

What is Naloxone?

Naloxone is a medication that is used to quickly reverse an opioid overdose. The US Food and Drug Administration approves an easy-to-use nasal spray version since it can be supplied (given) right away. Naloxone is also available in an injectable syringe for use by emergency medical personnel.

How does it Work?

Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that is both non-selective and competitive. It acts by reversing the effects of opioids on the central nervous and respiratory systems. It works by blocking opioid receptor sites, which aids in the reversal of overdose symptoms.

What are its Side Effects?

Although Naloxone side effects are uncommon, they can occur in some circumstances. People who get hives or swelling in their face, lips, or throat as a result of an allergic response should seek medical attention right once.

Naloxone use might generate symptoms that are comparable to those of opiate withdrawal. These signs and symptoms includes:

  • Restless, or irritative behaviour
  • Aches in the body
  • Weakness or dizziness
  • Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or stomach pain are all symptoms of a stomach bug.
  • Fever, chills, or goosebumps are all symptoms of a fever.
  • In the absence of a cold, sneezing or a runny nose
  • Heart rate that is increased.
  • Blood pressure that is too high

Time Duration of a Naloxone dose in the body

The efficacy of naloxone lasts for around 30-to-90 minutes after it is given to reverse the effects of opiate overdoses.

While the medication’s half-life is short, the medication itself can linger in your system for a long time.

The length of time it stays in your body depends on a number of factors, including your age, liver function, and weight.

The length of time a medicine stays in the system is also determined by how the patient consumes it.

It’s important to remember that, even if an opioid overdose is successfully reversed, the effects of opioids, such as respiratory arrest, can remain for several hours. This means that the Naloxone may wear off before the opioids do, potentially placing the person at risk of another overdose.

Up to 40% of the metabolites are eliminated within six hours of taking it orally or intravenously. Within 24 hours, 50% of the substance will be eliminated, and 70% within 72 hours. All metabolites of Naloxone should have departed the system within a week or less.