If you are expecting or planning to have a baby and using fentanyl, chances are you have some questions or concerns about fentanyl and pregnancy, and rightfully so.
Despite being a very potent and highly addictive drug, fentanyl can sometimes be used by pregnant women and administered during labor. However, this doesn’t come without risk.
Keep reading to learn the main things you should know about fentanyl and pregnancy, including how it affects fertility and breastfeeding.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid prescribed for severe pain, such as that experienced during or after surgeries, which cannot be relieved by non-opioid medications. It is around 50 times more potent than heroin and as many as 100 times more potent than morphine.
Fentanyl can be administered in various ways, including orally, intranasally, topically, and intravenously. It is sold in its generic form and under several brand names, such as Actiq® and Duragesic®.
Although it is approved for medical use and can only be legally obtained by prescription, fentanyl has become a prevalent drug on the black market. Dance Fever, TNT, and Murder 8 are some of its most common street names.
Fentanyl is also often used to lace other illicitly sold drugs, including opioids like hydrocodone, which enhances not only their potency and addictive potential but also the risk of opioid overdose.
In 2022 alone, around 75,000 Americans died from an overdose caused by synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl.
Due to its high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction, fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance and should be taken strictly as instructed by a doctor.
Side Effects of Using Fentanyl
Fentanyl can cause various side effects, including, but not limited to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Confusion
- Skin itching
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Appetite loss
- Stomach ache
- Lightheadedness
- Trouble breathing
- Difficulty urinating
These side effects may range from mild to potentially life-threatening. Fentanyl abuse increases the risk of severe side effects, such as allergic reactions, which may require immediate medical attention.
Inform your doctor about any side effects you experience while taking fentanyl, especially if they do not resolve or worsen over time.
Moreover, prolonged use of fentanyl increases the risk of:
- Tolerance
- Fentanyl dependence
- Fentanyl addiction
- Chronic constipation
- Reproductive problems
- Liver injury, cardiovascular problems, and other organ injury
- Fentanyl overdose
- Death
Now that you’re more familiar with fentanyl, let’s delve deeper into the topic of fentanyl and pregnancy and discuss how it affects pregnant women and the fetus.
Fentanyl and Pregnancy: How Does Fentanyl Affect Pregnant Women and the Fetus?
The effects of using fentanyl in pregnancy are poorly understood due to a lack of research on fentanyl and pregnancy. Nonetheless, like all opioids, this medication can negatively affect both pregnant women and the fetus.
Fentanyl falls under the FDA Pregnancy Category C, meaning studies conducted on animals have shown that it can lead to adverse neonatal outcomes. Since no well-controlled studies on fentanyl and pregnancy have been carried out on humans, this medication should only be used to treat pregnant women if the potential benefits outweigh the risks.
Fentanyl can sometimes be prescribed for pregnant women suffering from severe pain. It can also be used during labor. However, using fentanyl during pregnancy, and especially abusing it, can increase the risk of:
- Stillbirth
- Fetal distress
- Premature labor
- Maternal mortality
- Slow neonatal weight gain
- Neurodevelopmental delays
- Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS)
Moreover, fentanyl can cause congenital disabilities. A 2023 study found that ten newborns developed a distinct syndrome following prenatal fentanyl exposure. It is suggested that fentanyl exposure in the womb may affect the baby’s cholesterol metabolism, leading to symptoms resembling the Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome.
The characteristics of this novel fentanyl-induced syndrome include the following:
- Cleft palate
- Short stature
- Smaller-than-normal head
- Penile abnormalities (chordee or hypospadias)
- Foot abnormalities (clubfeet or rocker-bottom feet)
If you must take fentanyl during pregnancy, it is recommended to limit your medication use to the shortest duration and the smallest amount possible. This can help reduce the risks associated with fentanyl and pregnancy.
Using Fentanyl While Breastfeeding
Although fentanyl can be used while breastfeeding, it is in your baby’s best interest to switch to non-opioid pain relievers. If you have no other option, you should ideally take fentanyl in minimal doses and for as little time as possible. Your doctor can help you decide whether fentanyl is the right pain management option for you while breastfeeding.
Fentanyl can pass into breast milk, and even small amounts of it can cause your baby to experience unpleasant—and even potentially life-threatening—side effects. It can also put your baby at risk of extreme sedation and respiratory depression.
If you have to use fentanyl while breastfeeding, monitor your baby closely and seek medical care if they display any of the following signs:
- Limpness
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Difficulty breathing
- Unusually pale skin
When it comes to fentanyl and breastfeeding, you should never discontinue your medication abruptly or suddenly stop breastfeeding your baby. Since your baby can become dependent on fentanyl both in the womb and while being breastfed, this can induce uncomfortable opioid withdrawal symptoms.
How Does Fentanyl Affect Fertility?
No studies on the effects of fentanyl have been conducted as of yet. Nonetheless, prolonged opioid use and abuse can negatively affect both male and female fertility.
A 2021 study found that opioid use is associated with diminished fecundability. In other words, women who take opioids have lower chances of conceiving within one menstrual cycle.
Moreover, opioids like fentanyl can reduce the production of estrogen and progesterone in women. This can impair ovulation and lead to irregular menstruation. Taking opioids regularly over an extended period can also increase the risk of primary ovarian insufficiency and premature menopause, all of which could reduce your fertility.
Fentanyl and other opioids can also affect male fertility by affecting hormone levels. When used long-term or abused, it can decrease the production of testosterone and estradiol, reduce libido, cause erectile dysfunction, and diminish semen quality.
If you are taking fentanyl while trying to conceive, talk to your doctor to increase the chances of having a baby and reduce the risk of fentanyl-related birth defects.
Fentanyl and the Cause of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)
Fentanyl can cause neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a condition that causes newborns to suffer from withdrawal symptoms upon birth.
NAS is an umbrella term that encompasses neonatal withdrawal symptoms from all potentially addictive drugs. Withdrawal caused by opioid exposure in the womb specifically is known as neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS).
Everything pregnant women consume—be it food, beverages, or medications—can reach the baby through the placenta. Fentanyl is no exception.
If a pregnant woman takes fentanyl regularly, the baby can become physically dependent on it. Babies born to women with opioid use disorder (OUD), therefore, should be particularly carefully monitored for NAS and given treatment if needed.
The symptoms of neonatal abstinence syndrome typically appear within 72 hours after birth and may include:
- Tremors
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Vomiting
- Yawning
- Sweating
- Sneezing
- Weight loss
- Hyperirritability
- Muscle twitches
- Difficulty feeding
- Excessive sucking
- Sleep disturbances
- Increased muscle tone
- Excessive, high-pitched crying
Should You Quit Fentanyl During Pregnancy?
You should not quit taking fentanyl during pregnancy abruptly, as this can affect you and your baby alike. Abrupt cessation of fentanyl can increase the risk of miscarriage, fetal distress, and preterm birth. Any dose reduction should be done slowly and under your doctor’s supervision.
Nonetheless, it is best to avoid taking fentanyl and other substances during pregnancy. Your doctor can help you find less harmful pain management options to ensure your and your baby’s safety. Never attempt to quit fentanyl without medical supervision, as this can lead to acute fentanyl withdrawal symptoms, increasing the risk of relapse, overdose, and death.
If you are dependent on fentanyl, it is recommended to replace it with a long-acting opioid, such as Suboxone or methadone. While these can still lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome, they carry fewer risks.
ANR Treatment for Fentanyl Dependence
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a groundbreaking fentanyl dependence treatment that has helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide break free from opioid dependence safely and effectively.
ANR differs from traditional treatments in that it addresses the neurobiological causes of opioid dependence rather than merely treating its symptoms.
The ANR treatment re-regulates the endorphin-receptor imbalance resulting from repeated opioid exposure. Since it returns the brain to its pre-dependence state, ANR eliminates withdrawal symptoms, thereby negating the risk of relapse. Therefore, it has a very high success rate.
Moreover, ANR is very safe. Since the treatment is tailored to the patient’s individual needs and medical history, it can be performed even on patients with complex medical conditions, such as heart disease.
The ANR procedure, which takes 4–6 hours, is carried out by highly trained, board-certified medical professionals in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals, ensuring strict adherence to the highest patient safety and care standards.
Meanwhile, the average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours, meaning ANR can help you break the chains of fentanyl dependence in a matter of days!
For more information, contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
We hope you found this guide to fentanyl and pregnancy informative.
Before you leave, let’s go over the key points you should remember about fentanyl and pregnancy:
- Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid prescribed to relieve severe pain that can also sometimes be used during labor.
- Using fentanyl during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth, congenital disabilities, and neonatal abstinence syndrome, among other conditions.
- While it is advisable to switch from fentanyl to long-acting opioids during pregnancy, you should never quit taking fentanyl suddenly or without medical supervision.
Fentanyl and Pregnancy FAQ
If your baby was exposed to fentanyl, call 911 immediately. Since fentanyl is the most potent opioid, even a minimal amount can cause your baby to overdose. If not treated on time, a fentanyl overdose can be fatal. Make sure to store fentanyl out of the reach of children and pets.
It isn’t clear whether fentanyl increases the chances of a miscarriage, as there’s a lack of research on this topic. However, abrupt discontinuation of opioids like fentanyl and drug overdoses experienced during or shortly before pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of miscarriage.
Some studies suggest that taking fentanyl or other opioids during pregnancy might increase the chances of birth defects, such as clubfoot, cleft palate, and congenital heart defects.
A fentanyl epidural can pass to your baby through the placenta. Higher than 150 mcg exposure to fentanyl has been found to lead to neurobehavioral changes and make the baby less likely to find the breast and suckle within the first hour following birth.
Fentanyl affects labor by alleviating pain and minimizing discomfort, allowing you to relax. However, it can also lead to various side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and difficulty breastfeeding. Administering low doses of fentanyl intravenously may reduce the risk of breastfeeding difficulties.
Acetaminophen (also known as paracetamol) is a safe painkiller during all stages of pregnancy. If you aren’t sure which painkillers you can safely take during pregnancy, consult with your doctor. Some painkillers, like ibuprofen, shouldn’t be taken in the third trimester.
Additional Information:
Mixing Fentanyl and Alcohol: The Lethal Combination Explained
Rapid Fentanyl Detox: Risks, Considerations & Alternatives
Fentanyl vs. Heroin: Differences, Side Effects & Treatment