Lozenge

Actiq (fentanyl) relieves pain flares or breakthrough pain that your regularly prescribed long-acting pain medicine does not control.

Do not take Actiq (fentanyl) if you are allergic to Actiq (fentanyl) or to any ingredient present in Actiq (fentanyl).

Before using Actiq (fentanyl), tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine if you are taking any herbal products, if you are taking blood thinners if you have stomach problems if you have peptic ulcers if you have any other medical condition like liver or kidney function impairment, heart ot lung problem

If you have been told that you can use more than one unit of Actiq (fentanyl), you should ONLY use the second unit 15 minutes after you have finished the first unit (or 30 minutes after you started the first unit). While finding your appropriate dosage strength, no more than 2 units should be taken for each flare-up of pain. Once the correct dose has been determined, the maximum daily dose should NOT exceed 4 units per day. If 4 units per day does not control your breakthrough pain, talk to your doctor or nurse about increasing your dosage or adjusting your longer-acting pain medication. You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking Actiq (fentanyl) or change doses. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how fentanyl affects you. Stand or sit up slowly, this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. These effects may be worse if you are an older patient. The drowsiness should decrease after taking fentanyl for a couple of days. If you have not slept because of your pain, you may sleep more the first few days your pain is controlled to catch-up on missed sleep.

Other: Itching, blurred vision, clumsiness, unsteadiness, constipation, decrease or difficulty passing urine, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, flushing, headache, nausea/vomiting, pinpoint pupils, sweating

How much medicine you take and how often you take it depend on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of Actiq (fentanyl) you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Do not stop taking Actiq (fentanyl) without checking with your health care provider. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking Actiq (fentanyl). Do not take more medicine than prescribed unless advised to do so by your health care provider. Do not take any other over-the-counter or prescription medications without talking with your health care provider. If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. If more than one dose is missed, contact your health care provider or pharmacist. Cut open the package using scissors and remove the unit. Do not open the package until you are ready to use it. Place the unit in your mouth between your cheeks and gum and suck on Actiq (fentanyl). Move the unit around in your mouth, especially along your cheeks. Twirl the handle often. Finish the unit completely to get the most relief. If you finish it too quickly, you will swallow more of Actiq (fentanyl) and get less pain relief. Do not bite or chew the unit. If you feel dizzy or sick to your stomach before you have finished Actiq (fentanyl), remove the unit from your mouth. Dispose of the unit right away or put it in the temporary storage bottle to dispose of latter. You may drink water before using the unit but do not drink or eat anything while using the unit. Once you have finished the unit and Actiq (fentanyl) is totally gone, throw the handle away in a place that is out of the reach of children and pets. If medicine remains on the handle after you have finished, place the handle under hot running tap water until Actiq (fentanyl) is gone. Then, throw the handle away out of the reach of children and pets. If you did not finish the entire unit and you cannot immediately get rid of Actiq (fentanyl), put the unit in the temporary storage bottle that you have received in the Actiq® Welcome Kit. Push the unit into the opening on the top of the unit it falls completely into the bottle. NEVER leave unused or partly used units where children or pets can get to them. You should empty the storage bottle and run the handles under hot tap water to get rid of Actiq (fentanyl) at least once a day. Your mouth may get dry. Drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard sugarless candy may help to relieve dry mouth symptoms. In addition, each unit contains sugar. Frequent use of sugar-containing products may increase the risk of dental cavities. Have regular dental check-ups. Diabetic patients should be aware that each unit contains 2 g sugar (approximately ½ teaspoon). Depending upon the number of units used, patients may notice changes in their blood sugar and/or insulin requirements. Discuss any changes in your condition with your health care provider.

Store Actiq (fentanyl) at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Do not refrigerate or freeze. Do not store above 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Keep out of reach of children and pets. If you are no longer using Actiq (fentanyl) and have unused units in your home, dispose of them as soon as possible. Remove the unit from the pouch using scissors and hold the unit by the handle over the toilet. Using wire-cutting pliers, cut Actiq (fentanyl) end off so that it falls into the toilet. Throw the handle away in a place that is out of reach of children. Flush the toilet twice after 5 units have been cut. Do not flush more than 5 units at one time. Do not flush the entire unused units, handles or foil pouches down the toilet.