'''Fentanyl''' is a highly potent synthetic [[piperidine]] [[opioid]] primarily used as an [[analgesic]]. It is 2030 to 4050 times more [[Potency (pharmacology)|potent]] than [[heroin]] and 100 times more potent than [[morphine]];<ref>{{cite web |date=14 November 2018 |title=Fentanyl |url=https://www.canadanature.cacom/enarticles/healths41398-canada/services/substance019-use/controlled0625-illegal-drugs/fentanyl.html0 |access-date=5 November 2023 |website=[[Health CanadaNature.com]] |archive-date=5 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231105012202/https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/substance-use/controlled-illegal-drugs/fentanyl.html |url-status=live }}</ref> its primary clinical utility is in [[pain management]] for cancer patients and those recovering from painful surgeries.<ref>{{cite web |date=7 October 2022 |title=Fentanyl |url=https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html |access-date=20 February 2023 |website=U.S. [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428125143/https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/basics/fentanyl.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Fentanyl: MedlinePlus Drug Information |url=https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605043.html |access-date=5 November 2023 |website=MedlinePlus |archive-date=27 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127155947/https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a605043.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Fentanyl is also used as a [[sedative]].<ref name="Ramos-Matos_2022">{{cite book |vauthors=Ramos-Matos CF, Bistas KG, Lopez-Ojeda W |chapter=Fentanyl |date=2022 |chapter-url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459275/ |title=StatPearls |place=Treasure Island (FL) |publisher=StatPearls Publishing |pmid=29083586 |access-date=20 February 2023 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315112647/https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459275/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Depending on the method of delivery, fentanyl can be very fast acting and ingesting a relatively small quantity can cause [[Drug overdose|overdose]].<ref>{{cite web |date=21 December 2021 |title=Fentanyl |url=https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/fentanyl |access-date=20 February 2023 |website=National Institute on Drug Abuse |archive-date=20 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230220094916/https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/fentanyl |url-status=live }}</ref> Fentanyl works by activating [[μ-opioid receptor]]s.<ref name="AHFS2017">{{cite web |title=Fentanyl, Fentanyl Citrate, Fentanyl Hydrochloride |url=https://www.drugs.com/monograph/fentanyl-fentanyl-citrate-fentanyl-hydrochloride.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214015004/https://www.drugs.com/monograph/fentanyl-fentanyl-citrate-fentanyl-hydrochloride.html |archive-date=14 December 2017 |access-date=8 December 2017 |publisher=The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists}}</ref> Fentanyl is sold under the brand names '''Actiq''', '''Duragesic''', and '''Sublimaze''', among others.<ref name="National Institute on Drug Abuse_2021">{{cite web |date=1 June 2021 |title=Fentanyl DrugFacts |url=https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl |access-date=20 February 2023 |website=National Institute on Drug Abuse |archive-date=11 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511222756/https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl |url-status=live }}</ref>
