Abstral
Abstral is a medicine for adults who are already taking strong opioid pain medicine for ongoing cancer pain and need treatment for breakthrough pain.
Form
resoribletti
Strength
800 mikrog
Active Ingredient
Fentanyl citrate
Manufacturer
Grünenthal GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will determine the correct dose for your breakthrough pain. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
Method
Place the tablet under your tongue as far back as you can. Let it dissolve completely. Do not suck, chew, or swallow it. Do not eat or drink until it has fully dissolved.
Important
Do not take your Abstral dose more than four times a day. Wait at least two hours between doses.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Nausea
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Feeling very sleepy
- •Shortness of breath
- •Soreness or inflammation in the mouth
- •Vomiting
- •Constipation
- •Dry mouth
- •Sweating
- •Feeling tired or lacking energy
RARE
- •Allergic reaction (like rash or itching)
- •Shaking or tremors
- •Vision problems or blurred vision
- •Fast or slow heartbeat
- •Low blood pressure
- •Memory loss
- •Feeling sad, worried, confused, disoriented, or unusually happy; mood swings
- •Feeling full, stomach pain, or indigestion
- •Sores in the mouth, on the lips or gums, tongue problems, or pain/tightness in the mouth or throat
- •Loss of appetite, changes in taste or smell
- •Trouble sleeping, disturbed sleep, or difficulty focusing
- •Skin rash, itching, night sweats, reduced touch sensitivity, or easy bruising
- •Joint or muscle pain/stiffness
- •Withdrawal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, chills, shaking, sweating)
- •Inability for men to get or keep an erection
- •Feeling generally unwell
- •Swollen tongue
- •Severe breathing difficulties
- •Falls
- •Flushing or feeling very warm
- •Diarrhea
- •Seizures (convulsions)
- •Swelling in arms and legs
- •Seeing or hearing things that are not real (hallucinations)
- •Fever
- •Reduced level of consciousness or loss of consciousness
- •Itchy rash
- •Delirium (confusion, restlessness, seeing things that are not there, nightmares)
- •The medicine becoming less effective over time (tolerance), drug dependence (addiction), or drug abuse.
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to fentanyl or any other ingredient in Abstral.
- Do not use if you have severe breathing problems.
- Do not use if you are not regularly taking a strong opioid pain medicine (prescribed by a doctor daily for at least one week for ongoing pain), as this could cause dangerously slow or shallow breathing.
- Do not use for short-term pain that is not breakthrough pain.
- Do not use if you are taking medicines containing sodium oxybate.
Show 2 more warnings
- Keep Abstral out of sight and reach of children. This medicine is very strong and can be life-threatening if a child takes it by accident.
- If you feel extremely drowsy, or your breathing becomes slow or shallow, seek immediate medical help. This could be a sign of overdose.