Fentanyl Drug interactions

I am currently battling Recurrent Ewing's Sarcoma and to manage the pain I am on Fentora (Fentanyl Buccal tablets).  No matter how drowsy this medication makes me sleep just doesn't exist with me.  

I was curious to know if anyone knew if I would  be able to take Fentora and another medication containing Diphenhydramine to help me gain sleep as well.

I have spoken to my Dr.'s about my question but they never fully answer it for me they just keep repeating that Fentora can be dangerous when mixed with certain other medications, but they don't elaborate on what those are.

I realize that both medications can cause respiratory problems so I never was sure if mixing the two would increase this and in fact cause respiratory depression.  

The Fentora doesn't cover all of the pain completely and toppled upon with stress, my mind just won't shut down long enough to sleep and this is causing me to be weaker during treatments.

Thank you for any advice given.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Caution has to be exercised when using Fentora together with Diphenhydramine containing drugs.  The combination may result in severe constipation and paralysis of the bowels (ileus).  It could also cause you to have difficulty in coordinating movements, and may lead to excessive sleepiness and stupor, and respiratory depression.

If the Fentora is not controlling your pain adequately, the dose may need to be increased.  But I don't think it's a good idea to mix it with Diphenhydramine.

[Staschou]

According to MedLinePlus (from the NIH) -

http://tinyurl.com/6m6msb


Don't use diphenhydramine (Benadryl) with/after  Fentanyl.......

That's what the hospital folx told me when they were using Fentanyl for my surgeries.

Stan