Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid analgesic that is similar to morphine but is up to 100 times more toxic. When used legitimately, it is a schedule II prescription drug and is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids. In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. Street names for fentanyl or for fentanyl-laced heroin include Apache, China Girl, China White, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfella, Jackpot, Murder 8, TNT, and Tango and Cash.
This figure shows how some nerves make opioids (endorphins) send a signal to other nerves. Narcotics (exogenous opiates) mimic this signal, turning down the activity of a nerve involved in sensing pain. Differences between Naloxone, Naltrexone: Naloxone (Narcan) is a short acting drug which will bring a patient out of an opiate overdose by stripping the opiate from the opiate receptor and is a life-saving drug. Naltrexone, a short acting opiate/alcohol blocking agent has been used for the last 30 years.