Fentanyl crisis: Anesthesiologist dispels fears amid growing concerns

One-tenth of an ounce of fentanyl can kill up to 500 people, and its derivatives are even more potent. In the United States, addiction to this substance has become a serious social and economic issue. Concerns about opioids are growing in our country as well. What does an anesthesiologist think about fentanyl? Is there reason to be afraid?

Fentanyl is a strong opioid painkiller that has been used in safe clinical settings for decades. It has been used for anesthesia and for treating severe pain. It is stronger than heroin.

In 2013, fentanyl entered the drug market and has since contributed to hundreds of thousands of fatal overdoses in the United States. The opioid addiction issue is so severe that it has been recognized as a major public health threat in America. Unfortunately, the substance is increasingly appearing in other regions around the world.

Patients fear opioids due to the risk of addiction. On the other hand, if someone comes in with really severe pain, they won't worry about that. They just want the pain to stop. These people know that pain will kill them more quickly than fentanyl will, said anesthesiologist Marcin Musiał in an interview with "Wysokie Obcasy".

The doctor emphasized that fentanyl is a safe drug if used in the right cases and according to guidelines.

Only the dose makes the substance not poison. In the case of fentanyl, there's a chasm between the therapeutic dose and the toxic dose. It is a safe drug if used in appropriate indications, according to guidelines, and under a doctor's supervision. As an anesthesiologist, I use it practically in every anesthesia for surgical procedures, the specialist noted.

A large dose is 0.2 mg. A lethal dose is at least ten times higher, the doctor added.

Dr. Musiał clearly emphasized that opioids "should not be available in vending machines". However, he believes doctors should not prevent proper treatment for their patients. If someone is afraid to prescribe opioids when a patient needs them, in my opinion, they are not a doctor and should change their job to something else, the specialist explained in an interview with "WO".

The anesthesiologist admitted that among his patients, concerns about fentanyl are growing stronger. It is becoming more frequent that people ask if I could give them something else because they are afraid that fentanyl will "kill" them. More broadly, patients fear opioids due to the risk of addiction, he said.