Patient was educated on contraindications for using Fentanyl as follows:
- Fentanyl affects the respiratory center in the brain and induces slowing down of respirations. The breathing pattern can become irregular with reduced gas exchange and lead to elevated carbon dioxide and reduced oxygen levels in the body. Overdose of Fentanyl can also cause respiratory arrest. Fentanyl should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of respiratory abnormalities, such as, asthma and COPD.
- Fentanyl should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of head injury, coma, and brain surgery. These individuals are at increased risk for depression of the respiratory center and coma with Fentanyl.
- Avoid using Fentanyl along with other medications that have a potential to cause respiratory depression, such as, muscle relaxants, sedatives, and antianxiety medications. Though they cause mild respiratory depression individually, they can have an additive effect when combined with Fentanyl and thus, precipitate severe respiratory depression.
- Fentanyl has the potential to increase the intracranial pressure. Individuals with history of head injury, curvature of the spine, and intracranial lesions are at increased risk for elevated intracranial pressures, secondary to Fentanyl use, with consequent headache, vomiting, double vision, and confusion.
- Fentanyl should be avoided in individuals with history of drug and alcohol addiction. Do not take alcohol while using Fentanyl, as this can lead to severe depression of the respiratory center in the brain, respiratory arrest, and coma. Though Fentanyl individually does not cause much damage to the liver, combining Fentanyl with alcohol can increase the chance for liver injury.
