Abstral is a prescription medication used to manage breakthrough pain in adults with cancer who are already routinely taking other opioid pain medicines around-the-clock for cancer pain.

Abstral belongs to a group of drugs called opioid agonists or narcotic pain medications. These work by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Take one dose for an episode of breakthrough cancer pain. If your breakthrough pain does not get better within 30 minutes after taking the first dose of Abstral, you can take one more dose as instructed by your healthcare provider. Exceeding the instructed dosage is tantamount to Abstral abuse.

This medication comes as a small tablet that is placed on the floor of the mouth under your tongue (sublingual) and allowed to dissolve.

Common side effects of Abstral include nausea, feeling tired, headache, and constipation.

Abstral can also cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Abstral affects you.

Uses of Abstral

Abstral is a prescription medication used to manage breakthrough pain in adults with cancer (18 years of age and older) who are already routinely taking other opioid pain medicines around-the-clock for cancer pain.

Abstral is started only after you have been taking other opioid pain medicines and your body has become used to them (you are opioid-tolerant). Do not use Abstral if you are not opioid-tolerant.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Abstral

Serious side effects have been reported with Abstral misuse and use. See the “Abstral Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Abstral include the following:

• nausea
• sleepiness
• headache
• dry mouth
• sweating
• drowsiness
• constipation
• stomach pain

This is not a complete list of Abstral side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you, or that does not go away.Abstral addiction is another side effect that may occur with prolonged use. Please talk to a medical professional or a rehab center for Abstral addiction help if you feel that you’re losing control to the substance.

Abstral and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories – A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Abstral falls into category C. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the mother’s potential benefits outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.