Citation

Lyttle MD, Verma S, Isaac R. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2012; 28(5): 463-464.

Affiliation

Emergency Department, Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol; and †Emergency and ‡Pharmacy Departments, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEC.0b013e31825358b4

PMID

22561319

Abstract

The use of the fentanyl skin patch to provide pain relief in chronic pain conditions and oncology in adult practice has been common for several years, and an increase in use is now being seen in pediatric practice. Its use in drug misuse and suicide has also increased in recent years. We present the case of an adolescent who deliberately overdosed using fentanyl skin patches and describe the implications for management. This report serves to remind clinicians to consider this method of drug administration in children who display signs of opioid toxicity, where overdose may be subsequent to its use in therapy, recreation, or deliberate self-harm.

Language: en