Intranasal fentanyl for my child on the Burns unit

This resource will help explain how intranasal (IN) fentanyl is used to make your child more comfortable whilst their dressing is being changed. It will discuss the benefits, risks and hopefully answer any questions you have. 

Fentanyl is a medicine that can be given into the nose, also known as intranasally. It is a strong painkiller and can be given for short procedures to help reduce pain and help your child relax. 

What will it feel like?  

Your child may feel relaxed and drowsy, or even drift off to sleep. Depending on their age, they should be able to understand and respond to commands.  

How is intranasal fentanyl given? 

The medicine will be given as a spray into the nostril. 

We will ask your child to take a deep sniff whilst their nose is being sprayed.  

Throughout the procedure their heart rate, oxygen levels and breathing will be monitored.   

 What are the benefits?

The benefits to it include:

• it works quickly and effectively 
• it reduces pain and anxiety  
• there are fewer side effects compared to general anaesthesia 
• recovery is quicker than general anaesthesia  

What are the side effects?  

Fentanyl is a safe medicine, but there are side effects and risks with any medicines we give, such as:

• discomfort when giving the medication into the nose 
• a ‘funny’ taste at the back of the throat 
• lower the heart rate and blood pressure 
• slow the breathing rate   
• constipation
• feel sick or being sick
• there is a very rare risk of an allergy  

On the day, what should we expect? 

On the day, make sure your child takes any routine medication at the same set time. Please also bring any inhalers with you.

Dress them in comfortable clothing and make sure they are not wearing any makeup, false nails or nail varnish. 

If your child becomes ill with a cough, cold or chest problems, please contact Ward 2 on 0114 271 7000.

Once the procedure has been completed, your child will be monitored for at least 1 hour. 

Can my child eat before the procedure?

Your child can eat up to 2 hours before their appointment. After this, they can only drink fluids. This includes water, black coffee, black tea and diluted juice (with no bits).

If your child drinks breast milk they, can continue this. However, if your child drinks formula or non-human milk, they must stop 2 hours before their appointment procedure.

If yoru child has diabetes, please contact Ward 2 on 0114 271 7000 for specific instructions of when you should take your diabetic medication and stop eating food.

How do I look after my child afterwards? 

We will let your child go home once they are feeling back to normal, however, it can take up to 24 hours for the medicine to be completely gone from the body. It is important to keep a close eye on them, as they may feel unsteady and ‘out of sorts.’