Fentanyl Sandoz
Fentanyl Sandoz is a strong medicine for adults with cancer pain who are already using opioid pain relievers and need help with sudden breakthrough pain.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will tell you your correct dose. Never change your dose on your own.
Method
Place the tablet under your tongue and let it dissolve completely. Do not suck, chew, or swallow it. Do not eat or drink until it has fully dissolved. If your mouth is dry, moisten it with water and spit it out or swallow.
You can take your dose up to four times a day. Wait at least two hours before taking another dose.
Possible Side Effects
- •Nausea
- •Dizziness, headache, severe drowsiness
- •Shortness of breath
- •Mouth inflammation, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth
- •Sweating, fatigue or lack of energy
- •Allergic reaction, shaking, vision problems (blurred vision), fast or slow heart rate, low blood pressure, memory loss
- •Depression, suspicious thoughts or unfounded fear, confusion, feeling disoriented, anxiety, worry, restlessness, unusually happy feeling, mood swings
- •Constant feeling of fullness, stomach pain, indigestion
- •Mouth ulcers, tongue problems, pain in mouth or throat, throat tightness, lip or gum ulcers
- •Loss of appetite, loss or change of smell or taste
- •Difficulty sleeping or disturbed sleep, attention problems (easily distracted), lack of energy or weakness
- •Skin problems (rash, itching), night sweats, reduced touch sensitivity, increased bruising
- •Joint pain or stiffness, muscle stiffness
- •Withdrawal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, chills, shaking, sweating), accidental overdose, inability to get or keep an erection (men), general feeling of unwellness
- •Swollen tongue, severe breathing problems, falls, flushing, feeling very warm, diarrhea, seizures, swelling in arms and legs, hallucinations, fever
- •Drug tolerance, drug dependence (addiction), drug misuse
- •Reduced level of consciousness, loss of consciousness
- •Itchy rash
- •Delirium (agitation, restlessness, disorientation, confusion, fears, seeing or hearing things that are not real, sleep problems, nightmares)
Important Warnings
- This medicine is very strong and can be deadly if someone else takes it, especially children. Keep it in a safe, locked place out of sight and reach of children.
- Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to fentanyl or any other ingredient in this medicine.
- Do not take if you have severe breathing problems.
- Do not take if you do not regularly use strong opioid pain medicine every day for long-term pain. Taking it without this regular use can cause dangerously slow breathing or stop your breathing.
- Do not take for short-term pain other than breakthrough cancer pain.
Show 6 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have a head injury, heart problems, low blood pressure, liver or kidney problems, or mouth sores.
- This medicine can cause addiction or dependence. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully to reduce this risk.
- Avoid grapefruit juice as it can increase side effects. Avoid alcohol as it can make you more drowsy.
- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Fentanyl can pass into breast milk and harm the baby. If you are breastfeeding, stop and wait at least five days after your last dose before starting again.
- Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel dizzy, tired, or have blurred vision.
- Long-term use during pregnancy can cause severe withdrawal symptoms in the newborn, which can be life-threatening.
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)