Can you inject fentanyl patches

The transdermal fentanyl system delivers a specific dose at a constant rate. Even after the prescribed application time has elapsed, enough fentanyl remains within a patch to provide a potentially lethal dose. Death due to the intravenous injection of fentanyl extracted from transdermal patches has not been previously reported.

We present 4 cases in which the source of fentanyl was transdermal patches and was injected. In all of these cases, the victim was a white male who died at home. After surgical and intensive care treatment he recovered soon, but the hip prosthesis had to be explanted. There are some reports in the literature of misuse of fentanyl patches. The contents may be ingested orally, or they can be inhaled. Aspirated with a syringe the content of fentanyl patches can also be injected intravenously, sometimes resulting in exit-us.

Key messages Fentanyl is a highly potent synthetic opioid. Fentanyl can be extracted from patches and misused. The risk of drug dependence on fentanyl patches is high. Prescribers should carefully establish genuine need before prescribing. Fentanyl misuse is an emerging problem.

Use of fentanyl transdermal patches carries a number of risks of overdose, with a small margin between an appropriate therapeutic dose and a toxic dose. Use of fentanyl patches requires care when commencing treatment and is only appropriate in patients in whom opioid analgesic treatment is well established.

When fentanyl transdermal patches are used appropriately, plasma levels may take around 24 hours to reach a steady state.