Drug family: Analgesic related to morphine
IN WHICH CASE IS THE DRUG ABSTRAL PRESCRIBED?
This medication is a powerful, fast-acting analgesic . It contains a derivative of morphine and comes in the form of a sublingual tablet . Placed under the tongue, it releases the active substance which is absorbed through the oral mucosa and passes quickly into the blood.
It is used to relieve acute bouts of pain in adults already receiving disease-modifying treatment for chronic cancer -related pain .
You can consult the following article(s):
Pain in adults
PRESENTATIONS OF THE DRUG ABSTRAL
ABSTRAL 100 μg : sublingual tablet (round, white); box of 10
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €59.76 .
ABSTRAL 100 μg : sublingual tablet (round, white); box of 30
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €178.42 .
ABSTRAL 200 μg : sublingual tablet (oval, white); box of 10
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €59.76 .
ABSTRAL 200 μg : sublingual tablet (oval, white); box of 30
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €178.42 .
ABSTRAL 300 μg : sublingual tablet (triangular, white); box of 10
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €59.76 .
ABSTRAL 300 μg : sublingual tablet (triangular, white); box of 30
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €178.42 .
ABSTRAL 400 μg : sublingual tablet (diamond, white); box of 10
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €59.76 .
ABSTRAL 400 μg : sublingual tablet (diamond, white); box of 30
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €178.42 .
ABSTRAL 600 μg : sublingual tablet (D-shaped, white); box of 30
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €178.42 .
ABSTRAL 800 μg : sublingual tablet (oblong, white); box of 30
On prescription ( Narcotic ) - Reimbursable at 65% - Price: €178.42 .
The prices mentioned do not take into account the pharmacist's " dispensing fees ".
COMPOSITION OF THE DRUG ABSTRAL
share share share
Fentanyl 100 μg 200 μg 300 μg
Mannitol + + +
share share share
Fentanyl 400 μg 600 μg 800 μg
Mannitol + + +
Active substances:
Fentanyl
,
Fentanyl citrate
Excipients : Silicified microcrystalline cellulose, Croscarmellose Na salt , Magnesium stearate, Mannitol
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF THE DRUG ABSTRAL
This medicine should not be used in the following cases:
severe respiratory failure or airway obstruction ( severe asthma , severe chronic bronchitis , emphysema ),
pain other than acute pain attacks,
in combination with drugs containing sodium oxybate .
ATTENTION
The tablets must be kept out of the reach of children.
This analgesic should only be used if regular treatment with morphine or one of its derivatives is already in place to control the pain. It is complementary to this background treatment .
This strong opioid drug ( morphine and other opium-derived substances) exposes you to a risk of addiction . The risk is higher in case of prolonged use or exceeding the prescribed dosage in the face of a decline in the effect of the drug (tolerance). The prescribed dose should never be exceeded without further medical advice.
A gradual reduction in doses is necessary after prolonged treatment to limit withdrawal symptoms ( withdrawal syndrome ) which may be observed in the event of abrupt cessation of treatment.
Precautions are advised in case of slow cardiac arrhythmia , hypotension , hepatic insufficiency , renal insufficiency , intracranial hypertension , oral lesions and in the elderly.
Avoid alcoholic beverages: increased risk of drowsiness.
Athlete: this medicine contains a substance likely to make certain anti- doping tests positive .
This medication can induce sometimes intense drowsiness in some people. This drowsiness can be increased by taking alcohol or other sedative drugs . Driving or using dangerous machinery is not recommended.
INTERACTIONS OF THE DRUG ABSTRAL WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
This drug should not be combined with sodium oxybate .
It can interact with analgesics containing buprenorphine, pentazocine or nalbuphine: reduction of the effect of fentanyl.
Also tell your doctor if you are taking sedative medication ( tranquilizers , sleeping pills , neuroleptics for example), an antidepressant , an antibiotic from the macrolide family (erythromycin), an antiretroviral (ritonavir, nelfinavir, etc.), an antifungal (ketoconazole, itraconazole), an antiepileptic (carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital...), a medicine containing rifampicin and rifabutin or a product based on St. John's wort.
A period of 15 days must separate a previous treatment with MAOIs from the start of this treatment.
The absorption of grapefruit juice is not recommended during treatment.
FERTILITY, PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
PREGNANCY :
The absence of harmful effects of this medicine in pregnant women has not been established; only your doctor can assess the need for treatment and its risk during pregnancy.
Special monitoring is necessary for the child born to a mother under treatment in order to guard against the possibility of a withdrawal syndrome .
FEEDING WITH MILK :
This medication passes into breast milk and may cause undesirable effects in a nursing infant . If regular treatment with morphine or one of its derivatives is necessary, breastfeeding should be suspended.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE AND DOSAGE OF THE DRUG ABSTRAL
The tablets should be placed directly under the tongue, at the back of the mouth. They should not be swallowed, chewed or sucked, but melt completely. Do not eat or drink until the tablet has completely dissolved. In case of dry mouth, it is recommended to use a little water to moisten the mouth before taking. If pain relief is not achieved within 15 minutes of taking a tablet, an additional tablet may possibly be used.
A minimum of 2 hours must be respected to relieve a new painful attack with a new dose. When the painful attacks occur more than 4 times a day, the background morphine treatment may be insufficient: consult your doctor.
USUAL DOSE:
Adult over 18 years old : the dose per intake, strictly individual, is adapted by your doctor according to the intensity of the pain.
TIPS
Follow the dosage and duration of treatment prescribed by your doctor. If the treatment seems insufficient, do not hesitate to contact him again.
The prescription for morphine and related substances ( narcotics ) is written by the doctor on a secure prescription. The period of validity of the prescription is limited to 28 days. This drug is delivered by the pharmacist in several installments (every 7 days) unless otherwise specified by the doctor.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF THE DRUG ABSTRAL
Since this medicinal product is always associated with a background morphine treatment , the adverse effects observed are difficult to dissociate from this background treatment .
Frequent: fatigue, headaches, nausea, vomiting, constipation , difficult digestion, anxiety, confusion of ideas, dizziness , dry mouth, drowsiness or, on the contrary, insomnia, itching, sweating, blurred vision.
Rare: Inflammation of the mouth or gums, abnormal movement coordination, nightmares, hallucinations, excitement, rash , taste disturbance, difficulty urinating.
Opioid medications can cause sleep-related breathing problems. The risk increases with the dose used.
As with all morphine derivatives , there is also a rare risk of respiratory depression , which is potentially serious. Contact your doctor urgently if you have difficulty breathing, wheezing or severely slowed breathing.
