Side Effects, Interactions & Risks
When starting a new prescription, it is important to always inform your doctor of your complete medical history. This will greatly assist them in making the safest, most effective choice for your care.
Drinking alcohol while taking Abstral can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, judgment impairment, low blood pressure, respiratory distress, fainting, coma, and death.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Abstral. Check all your medications for alcohol content, such as cold medicines, to ensure you don’t accidentally consume alcohol products while taking your prescription.
Review your complete medical history with your doctor, including prescriptions, non-prescriptions, vitamins, supplements and alcohol consumption habits, so he can decide if Abstral is the right medication to treat your breakthrough pain.
What is Abstral?
Abstral is an opioid painkiller prescribed for sudden breakthrough pain in patients who are already on a regular opioid regimen for cancer pain. Patients not already on a chronic opioid therapy schedule are not recommended Abstral. Taking Abstral without already taking opioids on a regular basis can lead to life-threatening respiratory depression and death.
It’s important to note that Abstral is not like other prescriptions containing fentanyl. Its dosage cannot be changed to resemble other prescriptions because it’s absorbed differently. Treating it the same as other products containing fentanyl could lead to an accidental overdose. Only take Abstral as directed by your doctor.
As with most prescriptions, there is a chance of side effects while taking Abstral. These side effects can include:
- Slow heart rate
- Weak or shallow breathing
- Sighing
- Severe drowsiness
- Confusion
- Extreme fear
- Unusual thoughts or behavior
- Feeling faint
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Headache
- Drowsiness
If you experience any side effects, contact your doctor right away, as some may be serious. Only a medical professional is able to help you decide if Abstral is the right choice for handling your breakthrough pain.
Mixing Alcohol and Abstral
As mentioned above, mixing alcohol with Abstral can lead to serious side effects, including death. Avoid alcohol or limit the use of alcohol while taking Abstral and keep your doctor informed about all drugs you’re taking to avoid interactions.
Summing Up Side Effects, Interactions, and Blackouts of Mixing Alcohol and Abstral
Abstral is an opioid painkiller containing fentanyl and should not be mixed with alcohol. Doing so can lead to a variety of side effects, from dizziness to death. Don’t take the chance that these side effects may not happen to you. Avoid alcohol and anything containing alcohol while taking Abstral.
Be honest with your doctor about your alcohol habits and whether you feel you can abstain from alcohol while taking Abstral. If you feel you cannot avoid alcohol while taking this prescription, discuss other pain relief options with your doctor.
If you feel you or a loved one is misusing Abstral or alcohol, don’t wait to get help. We can help you to live a substance-free life.
How Long Does Abstral Stay in Your System?
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.