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Fentanyl Citrate

Fentanyl Citrate Side Effects

Shifali Patel, PharmDKristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Reviewed by Shifali Patel, PharmD, Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on February 17, 2022

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Nausea (45%)
  • Weakness (38%)
  • Vomiting (31%)
  • Shortness of breath (22%)
  • Constipation (20%)
  • Headache (20%)
  • Dizziness (16%)
  • Anxiety (15%)
  • Sleepiness (15%)

Less Common Side Effects

  • Accidental injury
  • Stiff muscles
  • Confusion
  • Depression
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Dry mouth
  • Abnormal walking
  • Nervousness
  • Rash
  • Sweating

Fentanyl Citrate serious side effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.

  • Overdose: not responding to sound or touch, slowed breathing, sleepiness, muscle weakness, small pupils, cold or clammy skin, slow heart rate, coma
  • Serious allergic reaction: hives, shortness of breath, chest tightness, swelling of lips, tongue, face, or eyes
  • Slowed breathing
  • Withdrawal in newborn babies: irritability, overactivity, abnormal sleeping pattern, excessive or high-pitched crying, body shaking (tremor), vomiting, diarrhea, unable to gain weight, breathing problems, fever, sweating, seizures
  • Adrenal insufficiency (low cortisol levels): nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, low appetite, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, low blood pressure
  • Withdrawal: restlessness, runny nose, yawning, sweating, chills, widened pupils, irritability, anxiety, suicidal thoughts

Source: DailyMed

The following Fentanyl Citrate side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Black, tarry stools

blurred vision

chest pain

confusion

convulsions

cough

decreased urine

difficult or labored breathing

dizziness

dry mouth

fainting

fever or chills

increased thirst

irregular heartbeat

lightheadedness

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

mood changes

muscle pain or cramps

nausea or vomiting

nervousness

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

painful or difficult urination

pale skin

pounding in the ears

rapid breathing

sneezing

sore throat

sunken eyes

swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs

tightness in the chest

troubled breathing with exertion

ulcers, sores, or white spots in the mouth

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

wrinkled skin

Less common

Abdominal or stomach pain

change in walking and balance

clumsiness or unsteadiness

decreased awareness or responsiveness

decreased frequency of urination

headache

muscle twitching or jerking

pounding in the ears

rhythmic movement of the muscles

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

seizures

severe constipation

severe sleepiness

shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet

slow or fast heartbeat

thinking abnormalities

trembling or shaking of the hands or feet

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Extremely shallow or slow breathing

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Back pain

diarrhea

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

difficulty with moving

discouragement

feeling sad or empty

irritability

lack or loss of strength

loss of interest or pleasure

muscle stiffness

pain in the joints

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

tiredness

trouble concentrating

trouble sleeping

weight loss

Less common

Changes in vision

excessive muscle tone

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

feeling of warmth or heat

flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck

irritation, pain, or sores at the site of application

itching skin

muscle tension or tightness

rash

sensation of spinning

sweating

Incidence not known

Tooth pain

trouble with gums

trouble with teeth

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Why trust our experts?

Shifali Patel, PharmD, worked as a pharmacist in a hospital setting for 3 years prior to joining GoodRx. As a hospital pharmacist, she reviewed medication orders for safety and accuracy, optimized medication therapy, provided clinical information to healthcare providers, and educated people about their medications.
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD, is a licensed pharmacist in California. She has been a retail pharmacy manager and staff pharmacist for over 7 years and has contributed drug information content to different health companies.

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