Actiq
® (
fentanyl lozenge) is a prescription narcotic pain medication used to treat breakthrough pain (pain that "breaks through" the use of around-the-clock pain medication) in people with cancer who are also taking regularly scheduled narcotic medication for their underlying pain. It comes as a lozenge with a handle (sometimes called a lollipop), to be placed in the mouth between the cheek and gums.
Actiq is a Schedule II
controlled substance. Schedule II medications have the highest abuse potential of all prescription medications. As a controlled substance, there are strict rules and regulations for prescribing and obtaining this medication.
Who Makes This Medication?
Brand-name Actiq is manufactured by Cephalon, Inc.
How Does Actiq Work?
Actiq contains
fentanyl, a very strong opioid narcotic medication. Fentanyl binds to a specific type of opioid receptor, called the opioid mu-receptor. Opioid mu-receptors are located throughout the body. Fentanyl produces many different effects by binding to these receptors.
The effects of fentanyl include but are not limited to:
- Pain relief
- Drowsiness
- Changes in mood, including feelings of unease (dysphoria) or unusually pleasant feelings (euphoria)
- Cough suppression
- Slowed or shallow breathing
- Slowing of the digestive tract, which can lead to constipation
- Pupil constriction
- Physical dependence.
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