title: The Fentanyl Patch Boil-Up - A Novel Method of Opioid Abuse.
abstract: Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic used in the treatment of pain. Transdermal fentanyl patches are now widely utilized as an acceptable and efficacious method of medication delivery. Unfortunately, the potential for their abuse is well recognized. Previous case reports have documented deaths after intravenous (IV) misuse of fentanyl which had been extracted from Duragesic (liquid reservoir type) patches. We present a case of IV fentanyl abuse after the extraction from a Mylan (matrix type) patch. This method of abuse has not previously been described in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Whangarei Hospital, Whangarei, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Cameron K M W
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Schauer
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Whangarei Hospital, Whangarei, New Zealand.
authors.forename: James A D
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Shand
authors.affiliation: Emergency Medicine Department, Whangarei Hospital, Whangarei, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D005591:Chemical Fractionation; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D057968:Transdermal Patch
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl