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== Fentanyl ==

'''Fentanyl''' (pronounced: /ˈfɛntənɪl/) is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to [[morphine]] but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a prescription drug that is also made and used illegally. 

=== Etymology ===

The term "Fentanyl" is derived from the names of its creators, Dr. Paul Janssen and his team at the Belgian pharmaceutical company [[Janssen Pharmaceutica]] in 1960. The name is a combination of "fent-" from the chemical name "N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)piperidin-4-yl]propanamide" and "-il", a common suffix used in drug nomenclature.

=== Medical Uses ===

Fentanyl is used medically to treat patients with severe pain, especially after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other [[opioids]]. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®.

=== Side Effects ===

Like all opioids, fentanyl can cause side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, constipation, sedation, confusion, and injuries related to falls. Serious side effects may include respiratory depression and addiction.

=== Related Terms ===

* [[Opioid]]: A class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain relievers available legally by prescription.
* [[Morphine]]: A pain medication of the opiate family which is found naturally in a number of plants and animals.
* [[Janssen Pharmaceutica]]: A pharmaceutical company headquartered in Beerse, Belgium and owned by Johnson & Johnson.

[[Category:Medicine]]
[[Category:Pharmacology]]
[[Category:Opioids]]

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