Drug Database
FE

fentanyl (Fentanyl Dura / fentanyl, Lavipharm / fentanyl, Recordati)

✓ Approved

Lavipharm · OPRD1 · Small Molecule

What is fentanyl?

fentanyl is a small molecule developed by Lavipharm. It is approved for therapeutic indications via transdermal.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesFentanyl Dura, fentanyl, Lavipharm, fentanyl, Recordati
CompanyLavipharm
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
Molecular TargetOPRD1, OPRK1, OPRM1
RouteTransdermal
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, Lavipharm

Mechanism of Action

Molecular Targets

fentanyl acts on 3 molecular targets:

OPRD1opioid receptor delta 1 (DOR, OPRD)
OPRK1opioid receptor kappa 1 (KOR1, OPRK)
OPRM1opioid receptor mu 1 (MOR1, LMOR)
Want deeper analysis?Noah AI can explain complex mechanisms and compare to similar drugs.

Therapeutic Indications

fentanyl is developed for 1 unique indication across 1 therapeutic area.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Gastrointestinal disordersAbdominal pain✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedMolecules (Basel, Switzerland)2026-10-16

Impact of Cannabidiol and Its Synthetic Derivative on Fentanyl Consumption and Fentanyl-Induced Neurometabolic Alterations in Mice.

AlKhelb Dalal A DA, Alahmadi Jomana M JM, Alqarni Maisa S MS, Ahamad Syed Rizwan SR et al.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a critical global health challenge, with highly potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl contributing to overdose deaths. The available treatments have limitations. The endocannabinoid system has emerged steadily as a therapeutic target for the opioid crisis due to its modulatory effects on opioid reward and withdrawal and its involvement in regulating inflammation. These studies investigate the potential of cannabidiol (CBD) and its synthetic derivative (L-1β IN-1) in mitigating fentanyl effects. C57BL/6 male mice were used in several behavioral assays: two-bottle choice (TBC) to measure fentanyl reward/seeking behaviors, hot plate to assess antinociception, and marble burying to evaluate compulsive/adverse effects. Additionally, a neurometabolic study was conducted to evaluate the impact of chronic high doses of fentanyl alone and in combination with CBD or L-1β-IN-1 on brain metabolic signatures. The mice consistently preferred to drink fentanyl, and i.p. injections of 10 mg/kg CBD or 5-25 mg/kg of L-1β-IN-1 decreased the fentanyl preference scores to values below 0.5. The antinociceptive effects of pretreatment groups showed a trend of enhanced analgesic effects in the hot plate assay. However, they showed no significant changes in the marble-burying assay, suggesting that pretreatment with these compounds lacks acute stereotypic effects. The Fentanyl metabolomics revealed robust metabolic activation with fentanyl alone, while CBD or L-1β-IN-1 showed different profiles in modulating these fentanyl-induced metabolic signatures. These studies provide evidence about the in vivo behavioral and neurometabolic profiles of fentanyl after pretreatment with CBD and synthetic CBD, presenting them as possible pharmacological tools for OUD research.

PMID 42883229
Read full article →
PubMedCardiology in the young2026-10-16

Reversible atrioventricular block associated with transdermal fentanyl use: a paediatric case with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Çevlik Burcu B, Tunca Sahin Gülhan G, Dönmez Mehmet Cemal MC, Özturk Erkut E

Pain is a common and significant clinical problem in childhood cancers, arising both from the disease itself and from administered treatments. Although pain control is primarily achieved with routine analgesics, this may be insufficient in chronic or progressive stages of the disease. In such cases, treatment with potent analgesics, such as opioid derivatives, comes into play. Transdermal fentanyl is widely preferred in paediatric oncology practice due to its ease of administration and effective analgesic properties. The most common adverse effects of opioids include tolerance, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Drugs known to cause atrioventricular block include beta-blockers, digoxin, calcium channel blockers, certain immunosuppressive agents, and many antiarrhythmic drugs. Drug-induced atrioventricular block is generally reversible and resolves after discontinuation of the offending agent. In this report, we present a paediatric patient with common variable immunodeficiency and non-Hodgkin lymphoma who developed first-degree atrioventricular block along with second-degree type I (Wenckebach) and type II atrioventricular block during transdermal fentanyl therapy. Given the rarity of this adverse effect, we believe this case contributes to the literature by highlighting a potential conduction system complication associated with opioid use.

PMID 42885543
Read full article →
PubMedTurkish journal of anaesthesiology and reanimation2026-10-16

Comparison of Postoperative Analgesic Efficacy Between Opioid-free Anaesthesia Using Intravenous Magnesium, Lidocaine, and Erector Spinae Plane Block, and Opioid-based Anaesthesia in Laparoscopic Abdominal Surgeries: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Vj Jerfiha J, Vaithiyalingam Ezhilrajan E, Johny Pradeesh P

Opioid-based anaesthesia is a standard practice in laparoscopic surgeries. However, it is associated with adverse effects that can limit its use. To address these issues, opioid-free anaesthesia has been introduced as an alternative. This study aims to compare the analgesic efficacy of opioid-free anaesthesia, incorporating magnesium, lidocaine, and an erector spinae plane block (ESPB), with traditional opioid-based anaesthesia during laparoscopic procedures. Seventy patients aged 18-60 years undergoing laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into two groups of 35 each. Opioid-free group received opioid-free anaesthesia, which included an intravenous (IV) bolus of 2 g magnesium, a continuous lidocaine infusion at 1.5 mg kg-1 hr-1, and a bilateral ESPB with 25 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine. Opioid-based group received opioid-based anaesthesia with an IV dose of 2 μg kg-1 fentanyl. Postoperative pain and the need for rescue analgesia were assessed for 24 h. Perioperative haemodynamic parameters were recorded, and the incidence of postoperative complications, including sedation, nausea, vomiting, and shivering, was monitored for 24 h. Pain scores were significantly lower in the opioid-free group compared to the opioid-based group at 0 h (P < 0.001), 2 h (P < 0.001), and 4 h (P=0.005) postoperatively. The opioid-based group required rescue analgesia more frequently (P < 0.001). Additionally, the incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in the opioid-free group than in the opioid-based group (P < 0.001). Haemodynamic parameters were similar between the two groups. Opioid-free anaesthesia provides superior postoperative analgesia and reduces the incidence of postoperative complications compared with opioid-based anaesthesia for laparoscopic surgery.

PMID 42885412
Read full article →
PubMedJournal of clinical medicine2026-10-16

The Effect of C-MAC Miller 1 Blade Placement in the Vallecula Versus Direct Epiglottic Elevation on Glottic Visualization and Intubation Performance in Children Under 2 Years of Age: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial.

Kenç Ahmet A, Begeç Zekine Z, Özgül Ülkü Ü, Çolak Cemil C et al.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to compare glottic visualization and intubation performance during laryngoscopy with the C-MAC video laryngoscope size 1 Miller blade using direct epiglottic elevation versus vallecular placement of the blade tip in children younger than 2 years of age. Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled 127 ASA physical status I-II children younger than 2 years undergoing elective surgery. Participants were randomly allocated to Group V (vallecular placement; n = 62) or Group E (direct epiglottic elevation; n = 65). Anesthesia was induced with fentanyl, thiopental, sevoflurane, and rocuronium. The Percentage of Glottic Opening (POGO) score, Cormack-Lehane grade, Intubation Difficulty Score (IDS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, laryngoscopy and intubation times, intubation attempts, optimization maneuvers, and complications were recorded. Results: The POGO score was significantly higher in Group E (median [IQR], 96 [92-100]) than in Group V (95 [88-100]; p = 0.032). Cormack-Lehane grades were significantly better in Group E than in Group V (p = 0.042). Laryngoscopy time was significantly shorter in Group V (5.61 ± 1.15 s) than in Group E (6.95 ± 1.80 s; p = 0.001). Intubation time was also significantly shorter in Group V (23.16 ± 4.44 s) than in Group E (26.60 ± 4.73 s; p = 0.001). VAS scores were significantly higher in Group V (9.48 ± 1.09) than in Group E (9.02 ± 1.09; p = 0.018). Conclusions: Direct epiglottic elevation with the C-MAC video laryngoscope size 1 Miller blade improved glottic visualization, whereas vallecular placement was associated with shorter laryngoscopy and intubation times in children younger than 2 years. The choice between the two techniques may depend on clinical priorities; vallecular placement may be considered when minimizing intubation time is a priority, although this hypothesis requires prospective evaluation in higher-risk populations.

PMID 42881945
Read full article →
PubMedPharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior2026-10-15

Co-injections of L-NAC methyl ester reduce the loss of antinociception and prevent the occurrence of hyperalgesia elicited by injections of fentanyl in male rats.

Getsy Paulina M PM, Baby Santhosh M SM, Coffee Gregory A GA, Hsieh Yee-Hsee YH et al.

The development of hyperalgesia (i.e., enhanced physical pain and/or psychological distress) during chronic fentanyl use plays a vital role in the continued and accelerated use of this potent synthetic opioid. Numerous biochemical changes in the brain, such as changes in redox status, are thought to contribute to the development of hyperalgesia to fentanyl and other opioids. This study addresses whether the clinically used antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (L-NAC) and its readily cell-penetrant analogue, L-NAC methyl ester (L-NACme) would affect the progressive loss of antinociception and appearance of hyperalgesia in adult male Sprague Dawley rats. We monitored changes in tail-flick latencies following twice daily co-injections over 5 days (8 AM, 8 PM) of fentanyl (125 μg/kg, IV) + vehicle or L-NAC (500 μmol/kg, IV) or L-NACme (500 μmol/kg, IV) in the rats. The first co-injections of fentanyl + vehicle elicited a long-lasting antinociception, whereas a robust hyperalgesia appeared with co-injections 5 and was even more dramatic following co-injections 6-10. The co-injections of fentanyl + L-NAC partially prevented the loss of antinociception and occurrence of hyperalgesia, and co-injections of fentanyl and L-NACme markedly reduced the loss of antinociception and prevented the appearance of hyperalgesia. This study provides evidence that L-NAC and L-NACme beneficially affect the alterations in pain processing that occurs with sub-chronic administration of fentanyl. The higher efficacy of L-NACme is likely to be due to its greater cell penetrability in brain regions and interaction with intracellular signaling cascades, which may include redox-dependent processes, that mediate fentanyl-induced antinociception and hyperalgesia.

PMID 42880458
Read full article →
PubMedThe International journal on drug policy2026-10-15

Safer supply program enrollment motivations and medication preferences among people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada.

Lasocka Alexandra A, Kerr Thomas T, Choi JinCheol J, Sutherland Christy C et al.

Safer supply programs have been implemented in Canada as part of the response to the ongoing toxic drug crisis. Established in 2021, the Safer Alternatives for Emergency Response (SAFER) program in Vancouver, Canada, offers a range of prescribed pharmaceutical alternatives to the unregulated drug supply, including fentanyl products for witnessed use. The present study sought to characterize SAFER program enrolment motivations and safer supply medication preferences among SAFER participants. Between December 2021 and February 2025, cross-sectional data were collected from a prospective cohort of SAFER program participants via baseline interviewer-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to examine self-reported reasons for enrolling in SAFER and safer supply medication preferences. Among 96 participants, 26 (27.4%) identified as women or gender diverse. The most frequently cited reasons for SAFER program enrolment were: to reduce unregulated drug use or related harms (70.8%); and to improve general health, stability or social wellbeing (53.1%). The most commonly preferred safer supply medications were fentanyl powder (48.3%) and injectable diacetylmorphine (25.8%). Overall, 39 participants (43.8%) were currently prescribed their preferred medication. After fentanyl powder was introduced at SAFER in March 2022, this proportion increased from 19.4% to 56.9%, p < 0.001. The primary reported motivations for program enrolment - reducing unregulated drug use or related harms and improving health and wellbeing - mirror the core stated objectives of SAFER, suggesting program alignment with participant goals. Observed improvements in receipt of preferred medications over time highlight the value of expanding and adapting medication options in alignment with participant needs.

PMID 42879841
Read full article →

+9996 more articles available with a free account

Sign up free to view all articles →

Ask about fentanyl