The fentanyl tea bag.
Fentanyl patches create unique opportunities for use and abuse. Each patch contains 100-fold more drug than is stated on the label in order to create the gradient required to deliver the stated amount (ie 25-100 microg/h). Several methods of abuse of this analgesic have been reported, ranging from ingestion to inhalation to application of multiple patches to the skin. We report the unique case of a 21-y-old woman who steeped a fentanyl patch in a cup of hot water and then drank the mixture. Coma and hypoventilation resulted. The woman was resuscitated with naloxone i.v. and recovered without sequelae.
Barrueto
Fermin
F
Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 419 West Redwood Street, Suite 280, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
Howland
Mary Ann
MA
Hoffman
Robert S
RS
Nelson
Lewis S
LS
D000328:Adult; D001628:Beverages; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009294:Narcotics; D009270:Naloxone; D005283:Fentanyl