Transdermal fentanyl patch in the use of chronic and non chronic pain

Transdermal fentanyl patch in the use of chronic and non chronic pain What is Fentanyl? Transdermal Fentanyl is a synthetic narcotic analgesic that is widely used in clinical anaesthesia which was originally synthesised by Dr Paul Janssen in the early sixties. It is approximately one hundred times more potent that morphine; which is thought of a the golden standard for opiods; this is where other opiods are compared and tested against morphine. Due to its potency, Fentanyl is mainly used for chronic long term illnesses such as cancer; however it is also used in short term acute pain for example child birth (a Fentanyl epidural would be used in this situation). Fentanyl can be administrated in many ways, which include: patch, ionysys, lollipop, injection and epidural. Biochemistry Janssens synthesis of fentanyl was to reactN-phenethylpiperidone with aniline to create 4-anilino-N-phenethylpiperidine. This compound is then reacted with propionyl chloride to give pure fentanyl, which is toxic and must be diluted in order to administrate to patients. American Chemical society 2005.