Fentanyl Sandoz
Fentanyl Sandoz helps adults manage sudden, severe breakthrough pain from cancer when they are already taking other strong pain medication regularly.
How to Use
Dosage
Take the exact dose your doctor tells you; it may be different from other pain medicines you use.
Method
Place the tablet under your tongue as far back as possible and let it completely dissolve; do not suck, chew, or swallow it. If your mouth is dry, wet it with a small amount of water before taking the tablet, then spit or swallow the water. Wait at least two hours between doses. Do not eat or drink until the tablet has fully dissolved. Carefully remove the tablet from its blister by tearing and peeling, never push it through the foil.
Do not take more than four doses in one day.
Possible Side Effects
- •Nausea
- •Dizziness
- •Headache
- •Excessive sleepiness
- •Shortness of breath
- •Mouth inflammation
- •Vomiting
- •Constipation
- •Dry mouth
- •Sweating
- •Fatigue/lack of energy
- •Allergic reaction
- •Tremor/shaking
- •Vision problems or blurred vision
- •Fast or slow heart rate
- •Low blood pressure
- •Memory loss
- •Depression
- •Suspicious thoughts/unexplained fear
- •Confusion
- •Disorientation (not knowing time/place)
- •Anxiety/worry/restlessness
- •Unusually happy/healthy feeling
- •Mood swings
- •Feeling constantly full
- •Stomach pain
- •Indigestion
- •Mouth sores
- •Tongue problems
- •Mouth or throat pain
- •Tightness in throat
- •Lip or gum sores
- •Loss of appetite
- •Loss or change in smell/taste
- •Sleep difficulties or disturbed sleep
- •Attention problems/easily distracted
- •Lack of energy/weakness
- •Skin abnormalities
- •Rash
- •Itching
- •Night sweats
- •Reduced touch sensitivity
- •Increased bruising
- •Joint pain or stiffness
- •Muscle stiffness
- •Withdrawal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, chills, tremor, sweating)
- •Accidental overdose
- •Inability to get or keep an erection in men
- •General feeling of being unwell
- •Swollen tongue
- •Severe breathing problems
- •Falls
- •Flushing
- •Feeling very warm
- •Diarrhea
- •Seizures
- •Swelling in arms or legs
- •Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
- •Fever
- •Drug tolerance
- •Drug dependence (addiction)
- •Drug misuse
- •Reduced consciousness
- •Loss of consciousness
- •Itchy rash
- •Delirium (confusion, restlessness, disorientation, fear, seeing or hearing things that aren't real, sleep problems, nightmares)
Important Warnings
- Do not take Fentanyl Sandoz if you are allergic to fentanyl or have severe breathing problems, or if you don't take strong opioid pain medicine regularly for at least a week for long-lasting pain.
- This medicine is an opioid and can cause addiction, misuse, and life-threatening overdose; the risk is higher if you or your family have a history of substance misuse or mental health issues.
- Tell your doctor if you have a head injury, heart or kidney problems, a brain tumor, mouth sores, or are taking other medicines that make you sleepy or affect your mood.
- Do not drink alcohol or grapefruit juice, as they can increase side effects.
- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding, as it can harm the baby; wait at least five days after your last dose before breastfeeding.
Show 2 more warnings
- This medicine can make you dizzy, tired, or blur your vision, so do not drive or use machines if you feel these effects.
- Fentanyl Sandoz can cause sleep breathing problems, including sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep) or low oxygen in the blood. Contact your doctor if you notice pauses in breathing during sleep, waking up due to shortness of breath, or feeling very sleepy during the day.
Use in Elderly Patients
Avoid use in older adults. Sedative. Serotonergic. Intended for the treatment of cancer pain. Not suitable for initiating opioid medication. Low transdermal efficacy in cachectic patients. Increases the risk of confusion and falling. Need for laxative is often necessary. Consider potential significant interactions. (updated 24.3.2025)