According to Susan Robertson, the drug fentanyl which is an opiate agonist, has been around since the 1960s and created by Dr. Paul Jansen. "The use of fentanyl as a pain reliever and anesthetic was quickly adopted in the medical setting. In the 1960s, the agent was introduced as an intravenous anesthetic under the brand name Sublimaze"(S.Robertson)pg.1. In the 90s fentanyl was turned into a patch which breaks down into the blood stream through a period of 72 hours. Fentanyl affects the body by increasing the dopamine levels causing pain relief. The medical use of fentanyl is pain relief and pain management. Fentanyl can be high addictive and is considered a schedule two narcotic. Withdrawals from fentanyl are very painful and there is a high overdose rate which an into …show more content…
According to Jay W. Marks MD, the most common method of use for fentanyl is a time released transdermal patch called Atiq. A person would place on a flat surface on their skin and the fentanyl seeps through their skin provided pain management and relief. The recommended dose should be applied every 72 hours and the amount is between twenty-five and a hundred micrograms will be released into the blood stream each hour. There are other forms of Fentanyl, such as pill and liquid form which is used interveinal. "The use of fentanyl with other central nervous system depressants can increase the ability of fentanyl to depress breathing, depress the brain, sedate, and lower blood pressure. Other drugs that may result in slow heart rates in patients when used with fentanyl, and therefore, should be used cautiously" ( Ogbru Pharm D)pg.