- Indication
- Pain (except for palliative care)
- RAG rating
- n/a
- Document type
- Patient information
- Place
- Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB
- Output type
- Pharmacy / Prescribing
- Information leaflet
- Fentanyl-Immediate-Release-Patient-Information-Leaflet.docx
Fentanyl Immediate-Release Patient Information Leaflet
Immediate-release fentanyl – Information for Patients
NHS guidance states that some medicines should not routinely be prescribed. This is because the medicines are:
- Not as safe as other medicines OR
- Not as good (effective) as other medicines OR
- More expensive than other medicines that do the same thing.
One of these medicines is immediate-release fentanyl.
This document will explain why the changes are happening and where you can get more information and support.
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a strong opioid painkiller. It is available as an immediate-release painkiller in various dosage forms, including: tablets, lozenges and nasal sprays. "Immediate-release” means that it acts very quickly, and it is sometimes used for the treatment of "breakthrough” pain in adults with cancer who are already receiving other, longer-acting strong painkillers.
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*Having a licence means that a medicine has passed tests to ensure that it is effective, safe and manufactured to appropriate quality standards. |
Why does the NHS want to reduce prescribing of immediate-release fentanyl?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says that immediate-release fentanyl should not be the first choice for "breakthrough” pain in adults with cancer – it should only be used if other options haven’t worked. This is likely to be for just a small number of people.
Also, the amount of immediate-release fentanyl being prescribed nationally makes it likely that in many cases it is being used for other types of pain than cancer. Immediate-release fentanyl can cause addiction, so we want to reduce use for patients for whom this is a risk.
This does not apply to slow-release versions of fentanyl, which come in patch form. Fentanyl patches will still be available on prescription.
Will my immediate-release fentanyl be stopped?
If you are taking immediate-release fentanyl for cancer pain it will not be stopped.
If you are taking immediate-release fentanyl for other types of pain it will be reviewed by your GP practice prescriber or specialist. You may be supported to stop taking immediate-release fentanyl and offered a different painkiller if needed.
Where can I find more information and support?
- You can speak to your local pharmacist, GP practice team or the person who prescribed the medication to you
- National and local charities can offer advice and support, for example:
- Pain Concern: 0300 123 0789 http://painconcern.org.uk/
- Pain UK: https://painuk.org
- Cancer Research: www.cancerresearchuk.org/
- Macmillan:www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/side-effects-and-symptoms/pain
- The NICE information for patients can be found at: www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg140/ifp/chapter/About-this-information
- The Patients Association can also offer support and advice: www.patients-association.org.uk/or call 0800 345 7115
- A resource for patients and healthcare professionals to support prescribing of opioid medicines for pain: https://fpm.ac.uk/opioids-aware
Find out more about the medicines that are being stopped or reduced: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/items-which-should-not-routinely-be-prescribed-in-primary-care-policy-guidance/
Find out more about licensed and unlicensed medicines: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/off-label-or-unlicensed-use-of-medicines-prescribers-responsibilities#a-licensed-medicine-meets-acceptable-standards-of-efficacy-safety-and-quality