Using FENTORA
Click on the following for information about using FENTORA to treat your breakthrough cancer pain:
How to take FENTORA
- Peel it.
- Keep tablets in blister packs until ready to use. Do not store in pillboxes
- Separate one of the blister units from its blister card by bending and tearing apart at the perforations
- Bend the blister unit along the line where indicated
- Peel back the foil on the blister pack to expose the tablet
- Do not push the tablet through the foil because this could damage the tablet
- Do not attempt to split the tablet
- Place it.
- Immediately place the FENTORA tablet in your mouth. Place it above a rear molar tooth between the upper cheek and gum
- Your doctor may instruct you to switch sides of the mouth with each new tablet used
- Do not bite, chew, or suck FENTORA tablets. If you do so, you will swallow more of the medicine before it can cross the lining of your mouth, and you may get less relief for your breakthrough cancer pain
- Feel it.
- Leave the FENTORA tablet in place until it dissolves. This may take about 14 to 25 minutes. As the tablet dissolves, you may feel a slight bubbling sensation between your cheek and gum
- If there is any tablet remaining after 30 minutes, swallow it with a glass of water
If you cannot take FENTORA this way, ask your doctor what to do.
How to Take FENTORA Video
Learn about proper administration of FENTORA with this helpful video
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Can I bite, chew, suck, or swallow FENTORA?
No. Do not bite, chew, or suck on a FENTORA tablet. Do not swallow tablets whole. If you do so, you will swallow more of the medicine before it can cross the lining of your mouth, and you may get less relief for your breakthrough cancer pain.
Talk with your doctor. He or she may allow you to take another FENTORA tablet, but you can only take that tablet 30 minutes after having started the one you swallowed.
Can I take FENTORA if I have a dry mouth?
Yes. If you have difficulty producing saliva, please talk with your doctor. You may drink some water before taking FENTORA, but you should not eat or drink anything while taking FENTORA.
While taking FENTORA, can I take my around-the-clock opioid pain medicine?
You must take your around-the-clock opioid pain medicine as long as you are taking FENTORA. Do not stop taking your around-the-clock opioid pain medicine. Talk with your doctor before making an adjustment to any of your other medicines.
Always discuss any questions about your medicine with your doctor.
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Finding the right dose to relieve your breakthrough pain
FENTORA comes in several dosage strengths. To start you on FENTORA, your doctor will likely prescribe you a low dosage strength. This initial dose may include more than 1 tablet (see Situation 1 below).
Next, your doctor may gradually increase the dosage strength of FENTORA to find the right dose for you. To help with this process, your doctor may instruct you to use multiple tablets at the same time (see Situation 1 below).
By following your doctor's instructions during this adjustment period, and telling the doctor how you're feeling, you can help your doctor determine a correct dose. A pain journal can be a useful tool for remembering your experiences and talking with your doctor about them. Ask your doctor for details.
Once your doctor finds the dose of FENTORA that is right for you, you should use only 1 FENTORA tablet per breakthrough pain flare.
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If you still have pain 30 minutes after taking a single dose
Once you have found an effective dose, a single dose of FENTORA may not always control your breakthrough pain because some flares of pain may be more severe. No more than 2 doses should be used per breakthrough pain flare (see Situation 2 below). If your pain is not relieved within 30 minutes, your doctor may instruct you to take only 1 additional dose of the same strength for that flare. You must wait at least 4 hours before taking FENTORA for another flare of breakthrough pain.
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IMPORTANT:
- DO NOT USE FENTORA unless you are regularly using other opioid pain medicines around-the-clock for your constant cancer pain and your body is used to these medicines.
- Keep FENTORA in a safe place away from children. Accidental use by a child is a medical emergency and can result in death. If a child accidentally takes FENTORA, get emergency help right away.
Read the Medication Guide that comes with FENTORA before you start taking it and each time you get a new prescription. There may be new information. This Medication Guide does not take the place of talking to your doctor about your medical condition or your treatment. Share this important information with members of your household.
The most important information you should know about FENTORA is:
- FENTORA can cause life-threatening breathing problems which can lead to death:
- If you are not regularly using other opioid pain medicines around-the-clock for your constant cancer pain and your body is not used to these medicines. This means that you are not opioid tolerant
- If you do not use it exactly as prescribed by your doctor
- Your doctor will prescribe a starting dose of FENTORA that is different than other fentanyl containing medicines you may have been taking. Do not substitute FENTORA for other fentanyl medicines, including Actiq®, without talking with your doctor.