En español
NIDA
Home » Drugs of Abuse » Fentanyl

Fentanyl

Brief Description

Molecular structure of fentanyl

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent.  It is a schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®.Street names for fentanyl or for fentanyl-laced heroin include Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash.  Learn more

Related Videos

Related Publications

Cover art for Opioid Facts for Teens

Opioid Facts for Teens

Presented in question-and-answer format and targeted to teens, provides facts about opioids and their potential harmful effects.  (July 2018) En Español

Prescription drug abuse and heroin use

Prescription Opioids and Heroin

Explores the relationship between prescription opioid abuse and heroin use, including prescription opioid use as a risk factor for heroin use, reasons why people progress from using prescription opioids to heroin, and the need for prevention and treatment. (January 2018)

Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder

Medications to Treat Opioid Use Disorder

Discusses effective medications used to treat opioid use disorders: methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone. (June 2018) En Español

Fentanyl

Offers basic facts about the synthetic opioid Fentanyl including how it is abused, its effect on the brain, and other health effects. (June 2016) En Español

View all related publications

Related Policy Briefs

Treating Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy

Treating Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy

This brief fact sheet discusses the risks of untreated opioid use disorder during pregnancy, particularly neonatal abstinence syndrome, and provides evidence-based treatment options that have been shown to be safe and effective. (July 2017)

Improving Opioid Prescribing

Improving Opioid Prescribing

This brief fact sheet provides information about the risks of prescription opioid pain relievers and a summary of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guideline for Opioid Prescribing for Pain. (March 2017)

Naloxone for Opioid Overdose: Life-Saving Science

Naloxone for Opioid Overdose: Life-Saving Science

This brief fact sheet provides information about the life-saving drug naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose, including how it works and where to get it. (March 2017)

Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction

Effective Treatments for Opioid Addiction

This brief fact sheet provides information about the effectiveness of medications for opioid use disorders and recent scientific advances in this area. (November 2016)

Related Resources

Other Resources

Past information on many drugs of abuse is available on our Archives site.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are research studies in human volunteers conducted to answer specific health questions. Learn about the NIH-sponsored clinical trials available to you.

Other Clinical Trials information sources:

This page was last updated June 2016

Get this Publication

    Cite this article

    NIDA. (2016, June 6). Fentanyl. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/fentanyl

    press ctrl+c to copy

    Fentanyl is More Than One Drug

    Watch Video

    Other Articles of Interest

    NIDA Notes

    Nora's Blog

    Science Highlight

    Get Help

    SAMHSA Treatment Locator

    Find information about addiction and mental health services in your area. You can search by state or zip code online or call the number. (SAMHSA)
    1-800-662-4357
    1-800-487-4889 (TTY)

    Easy-to-read Drug Facts