fentanyl

noun

fen·ta·nyl | \ˈfen-tə-ˌnil

\

Definition of fentanyl

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C₂₂H₂₈N₂O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C₂₂H₂₈N₂O·C₆H₈O₇ is administered orally or parenterally (as by intravenous or epidural injection)

Examples of fentanyl in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The third drug in Nevada's combination is fentanyl, the powerful opioid that is blamed for deadly overdoses across the country but has not been used before in an execution. — Author: Ken Ritter, Michelle L. Price, Anchorage Daily News, "Execution blocked after company objects to use of its drug," 12 July 2018 The Reno Gazette-Journal reached out to two medical experts to help explain how each of Nevada's lethal injection drugs (fentanyl, diazepam and cisatracurium) work and how they're used in medicine. — Ken Ritter, USA TODAY, "Nevada execution in doubt after pharmaceutical company lawsuit," 11 July 2018 Nevada was set to use Alvogen’s midazolam along with fentanyl, a drug more commonly associated with the opioid overdose epidemic, and cisatracurium in Wednesday’s execution. — Zusha Elinson, WSJ, "Nevada Execution Halted on Drugmaker’s Lawsuit," 11 July 2018 Nevada refused Pfizer's demand last year to return the company's diazepam and fentanyl, which has been blamed for overdoses nationwide but has not been used in an execution. — NBC News, "Nevada execution in doubt after drug company sues to stop it," 11 July 2018 And the toll is continuing to climb as people overdose on heroin laced with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that makes heroin much more potent—and much deadlier. — The Editors, Scientific American, "Addicts Should Be Able to Shoot Up Legally in Safe-Injection Facilities," 27 June 2018 The pair insisted at one point that an opioid awareness campaign focus on fentanyl, a concept opposed by those with experience in substance use prevention. — Lev Facher, STAT, "Empty desks, squabbles, inexperienced staff: Exactly who is coordinating White House drug policy?," 18 June 2018 This artist has the perfect idea See midtown ‘Lady Bird’ mural go up in 40 seconds Prince died April 21, 2016, of an accidental overdose on fentanyl. — Michael Mcgough, sacbee, "Her mural of Prince earned worldwide attention in April. Now, her remix is almost done," 4 June 2018 Many of the deaths involved fentanyl, a synthetic opioid many times stronger than heroin that continues to grow in prevalence. — Nicholas Rondinone, Courant Community, "Town Of Enfield Plans To Sue Opioid Manufacturers," 8 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fentanyl.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

11 Oct 2018

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The first known use of fentanyl was in 1964

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More Definitions for fentanyl

fentanyl

noun

fen·ta·nyl | \ˈfent-ᵊn-ˌil

\

Medical Definition of fentanyl

: a synthetic opioid narcotic analgesic C₂₂H₂₈N₂O with pharmacological action similar to morphine that is administered transdermally as a skin patch and in the form of its citrate C₂₂H₂₈N₂O·C₆H₈O₇ is administered orally or parenterally

Note: Fentanyl is marketed under the trademark Actiq.

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