That is why opioids make one feel more relaxed and joyful. These types of drugs bind to receptors in the brain that control pain and emotions. Because of its potency, it is a prescription drug that is commonly diverted (stolen and sold illegally) for misuse and abuse.įentanyl, morphine, heroin, and many other opiates work in similar ways. According to the United States Drug Enforcement Administration 2 (DEA), this narcotic is a controlled substance that is similar to other opioids except it is 50 times more powerful than heroin and 80-100 times more powerful than morphine. Now, in addition to the transdermal patch, fentanyl is also prescribed as a lozenge, pill, and liquid. Fentanyl was initially developed to treat cancer patients and applied to the skin as a patch, called the fentanyl extended-release transdermal system. It is legally manufactured and distributed in the United States, where it is often prescribed to patients who have had surgery or those suffering from chronic pain who have a tolerance to other opioids (i.e., need high or more frequent amounts to feel the effect). Overcoming Addiction to Fentanyl and Related Drugsįentanyl is a synthetic opioid 1 developed in the 1960s and used as a painkiller to treat moderate to severe pain.
