Fentanyl Sandoz
Fentanyl Sandoz is a strong pain medicine for adults who already take strong pain medicines for ongoing cancer pain but need extra help for sudden, severe "breakthrough" pain.
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will tell you exactly how much to take. Always use the dose your doctor has prescribed, which may be different from other pain medicines you use.
Method
Place the tablet under your tongue. Let it dissolve completely. Do not suck, chew, or swallow it. Do not eat or drink until the tablet has fully dissolved.
Once your doctor finds the right dose for you, you should not take it more than four times a day. Wait at least two hours between doses.
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 heartbeat
- •Low blood pressure
- •Memory loss
- •Depression
- •Feeling confused
- •Mood swings
- •Mouth sores, tongue problems, mouth/throat pain
- •Difficulty sleeping or disturbed sleep
- •Skin problems, rash, itching
- •Joint pain or stiffness, muscle stiffness
- •Withdrawal symptoms (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anxiety, chills, tremor, sweating)
- •Swollen tongue
- •Severe breathing difficulties
- •Seizures
- •Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't there)
- •Reduced consciousness, loss of consciousness
- •Delirium (confusion, restlessness, disorientation, seeing/hearing things, sleep problems)
Important Warnings
- Do not take if you are allergic to fentanyl or any other ingredients.
- Do not take if you have severe breathing problems.
- Do not take this medicine for short-term pain or if you are not already regularly taking strong opioid pain medicine for ongoing cancer pain, as this can cause very slow or shallow breathing which can be dangerous.
- This medicine contains fentanyl, an opioid, and can cause dependence or addiction. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully to avoid these risks.
- If you feel unusually sleepy or your breathing becomes slow and shallow, contact a doctor or hospital immediately as this can be a sign of overdose.
Show 1 more warnings
- Do not drink grapefruit juice or alcohol while taking this medicine, as they can increase side effects and drowsiness.
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)