Fentanyl Dependence Associated with the Use of Transdermal Fentanyl in a Cancer Patient: A Case Report

Abstract

Fentanyl is a syntetic narcotic analgesic that is available for the management of chronic cancer and noncancer pain. Its analgesic potency is 75-100 times greater than that of morphine. Apart from the lipofilic nature and the high potency, fentanyl is characterized by low molecular weight and thus, is suitable for transdermal use. The transdermal fentanyl patches are designed to deliver fentanyl at a constant rate for periods of 72 hours. Patches with a delivery rate of 25, 50, 75 and 100 mu/h are avaiable. Transdermal fentanyl is effective and safe in many cancer patients. Abuse/misuse of fentanyl patches has been increasingly reported along with different routes of administration such as intravenous, oral, rectal, inhalational use. However, there are two reports associated with transdermal fentanyl dependency in literature. Here, we report a case of fentanyl dependence associated with the use of transdermal fentanyl in a cancer patient.