Prescription drug teachback.

1. B Y: S A R A H D E C O S TA
FENTANYL

2. WHAT IS IT?
• Fentanyl is a powerful opioid prescribed for severe pain.

3. WAYS IT IS USED?
• Pharmaceutical:
• Injection
• Transdermal patch
• Transmucosal
• Lozenges
• Non-pharmaceutical:
• Powder
• Mixed with/substituted for heroin

4. WHAT ARE THE AFFECTS?
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Sedation
• Tolerance
• Addiction
• Respiratory depression
• Unconsciousness
• Death

5. WHY IS IT DANGEROUS?
• High doses effect the part of the brain that controls
breathing
• Its high potency and risk for tolerance makes it easy to
overdose
• Often mixed with other drugs such as heroin and cocaine

6. IN THE NEWS
• April, 2016 singer, Prince died from an accidental
overdose of fentanyl.

7. RISING ISSUE

8. QUOTE
• “It is 25 to 40 times more potent than heroin and 50 to
100 times more potent than morphine.”
-NIDA, 2012

9. THOUGHTS AND QUESTIONS?
• Have you ever heard of fentanyl?
• Did you know fentanyl has a higher potency than some
more common drugs?
• What are your thoughts on the rapid increase of fentanyl
related deaths?

10. REFERENCES
• Ellis, R., & Sidner, S. (2016, June 3). Prince died of accidental overdose
of opioid fentanyl: Medical examiner. Retrieved from
http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/02/health/prince-death-opioid-
overdose/
• Fentanyl. (2016, June). Retrieved from
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl