How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System? (Timeline)

If you have a prescription for fentanyl or are starting to misuse it, you should know these short-term effects:

• Nausea.
• Confusion.
• Slowed breathing.
• Constipation.
• Drowsiness.
• Vomiting.

After using fentanyl for a long time, the brain and central nervous system adapt to the drug. They do this to function “properly.” If your body cannot function unless you take the drug, you have become addicted to fentanyl.

If you develop severe withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using the drug, then you may have developed dependence. The longer you use the medicine, the less sensitive it becomes. As a result, you are compelled to take increasing dosage sizes of the drug to experience the same effects as before. When you reach this point, you’ve developed what specialists call tolerance.

When you are hooked and have built a tolerance to fentanyl, it is hard to gain pleasure from anything other than the drug. Thus, fentanyl-seeking takes over your life, and the consequences can be devastating in many facets of your life. Fentanyl usage has long-term psychological and physical effects that you should be aware of, including:

Dependence and tolerance: If you keep using fentanyl, you will need larger doses to feel the same high. This can quickly cause withdrawal symptoms if you lower the dose or try to stop using it.

Addiction: Given the euphoric effects of fentanyl, people with addictions frequently engage in obsessive fentanyl-seeking behavior

Organ damage: The heart, liver, and kidneys are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of fentanyl. Additionally, respiratory depression is a common side effect of using fentanyl. It can lower the body’s oxygen supply. It has the potential to harm a variety of other organs.

Mental illnesses: If you have been using this drug for a long time, you may have a higher risk of anxiety and depression. Fentanyl can change your brain chemistry. It disrupts the normal balance of brain neurotransmitters. This can lead to long-term mental health issues.

Health risks of long-term fentanyl use: Chronic fentanyl use can have serious and lasting effects on both the mind and the body. Aside from the side effects already described, below are some additional crucial long-term health risks of taking fentanyl:

Hormonal imbalances: Fentanyl abuse can disrupt regular hormonal action in the body. Prolonged use can result in hormonal abnormalities, including estrogen, testosterone, and cortisol. These anomalies can lead to a myriad of issues, including:

• Sexual dysfunction.
• Reproductive issues.
• Mood swings.
• Alterations in the way the body reacts to stressors.

Weakened immune system: Fentanyl usage can impair the immune system, leaving users more prone to illnesses and infections. Chronic usage can hamper the immune response, raising the risk of breathing-related bacterial infections and other opportunistic diseases.

Overdose: Spotting an overdose of opioids like fentanyl could save a life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the following are the indicators you should watch for:

• Discoloration of the skin (mainly around the lips and nails).
• Cold and/or sweaty skin.
• Gurgling or choking noises.
• Drowsiness or unresponsiveness.
• Tiny, constricted “pinpoint” pupils.
• Flaccid body.
• Slow, weak, or absent breathing.

Cognitive impairment: The use of fentanyl can impair mental and cognitive functions. Long-term use may cause memory problems, focus challenges, reduced attention span, and poor decision-making ability. Cognitive deficiencies can significantly influence daily functioning, productivity, and quality of life.