Fentanyl Sandoz
Fentanyl Sandoz is a strong pain medicine for adults who already take regular strong pain relievers for ongoing cancer pain, to treat sudden flare-ups of pain.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will find the right dose for your breakthrough pain. You might try different strengths to find what works best.
Method
Place the tablet under your tongue as far back as you can. Let it dissolve completely in your mouth. 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 a little water, then spit or swallow the water.
Once you find the right dose, you can take it up to four times a day. Wait at least two hours between doses.
Possible Side Effects
- •Nausea
- •Dizziness, headache, severe drowsiness
- •Shortness of breath
- •Mouth inflammation, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth
- •Sweating, extreme tiredness/lack of energy
- •Allergic reaction, shaking, vision problems or blurred vision, fast or slow heart rate, low blood pressure, memory loss
- •Feeling down, suspicious/unexplained fear, confusion, disorientation, feeling anxious/worried/restless, unusually happy/healthy feeling, mood changes
- •Feeling full all the time, stomach ache, indigestion
- •Mouth sores, tongue problems, pain in mouth or throat, tight feeling in throat, lip or gum sores
- •Loss of appetite, loss or change of smell/taste
- •Trouble sleeping or disturbed sleep, trouble paying attention/easily distracted, lack of energy/weakness/loss of strength
- •Skin problems, rash, itching, night sweats, reduced touch sensitivity, easy 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 in men, general feeling of being unwell
- •Swollen tongue, severe breathing difficulties, 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 or loss of consciousness
- •Itchy rash
- •Delirium (agitation, restlessness, confusion, fears, seeing or hearing things that are not there, sleep disturbances, nightmares)
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to fentanyl, have severe breathing problems, do not regularly use strong opioid pain relievers for long-term pain, or have short-term pain that is not breakthrough pain.
- Do not take with medicines containing sodium oxybate. Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice, as they can increase side effects.
- Do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding. If breastfeeding, wait at least five days after your last dose before resuming.
- This medicine can make you dizzy, tired, or blur your vision. Do not drive or operate machinery if you experience these effects.
- This medicine contains fentanyl, an opioid that can cause addiction and dependence. Overdosing can be life-threatening, especially if you are not used to strong opioids.
Show 2 more warnings
- May cause sleep-related breathing problems like sleep apnea. Talk to your doctor if you have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or low blood pressure, as these could be signs of serious adrenal issues.
- Keep this medicine in a safe place, out of sight and reach of children, as it is very strong and can be deadly if taken by accident or misuse.
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)