Dr. Samina Ali Receives Special Commendation for Infographic on Intranasal Fentanyl
TREKK content advisor, Dr. Samina Ali, has received special commendations in the IHDCYH Talks competition for her infographic, Just the Facts for Families: Intranasal Fentanyl. This resource is designed to help healthcare providers explain the safe and effective use of medically prescribed fentanyl for pain management in children. It was co-created with families as a part of Solutions for Kids in Pain‘s (SKIP’s) efforts to improve pain care for children across Canada.
Click here to see the infographic
Understanding Intranasal Fentanyl for Pain Relief
Pain management is a critical aspect of pediatric emergency care. Intranasal fentanyl is increasingly being used in emergency departments due to its ability to provide rapid pain relief without requiring an intravenous (IV) line. However, many families are unfamiliar with medical fentanyl and may have concerns due to its association with illicit street fentanyl.
Dr. Ali, a leading expert in pediatric emergency medicine, emphasized the importance of this resource in a recent email statement:
“More and more, intranasal fentanyl is used in emergency departments. Intranasal fentanyl is a very effective medication for providing quick pain relief to children with severe pain. Many families are unfamiliar with medical fentanyl and worry about its use, given what they have heard about illicit (‘street’) fentanyl. This handout answers the most common questions that families identified as wanting answered, so that they could feel comfortable with its use.”
Key Takeaways from the Infographic
What is Intranasal Fentanyl?
Intranasal fentanyl is a fast-acting pain reliever that is administered as a nose spray. It is commonly used in emergency settings for children experiencing severe pain when oral or intravenous medications would take too long to work.
How is Intranasal Fentanyl Given?
The medicine is sprayed into the nose, taking just a few seconds.
It starts working within five minutes, with significant pain relief within an hour.
Some children may experience minor side effects like sleepiness, nausea, or a bitter taste, but these effects are temporary.
Additional pain management strategies, such as oral medications, IV pain relievers, and non-medical options like warm blankets and distraction techniques, may also be used.
Is Medicinal Intranasal Fentanyl the Same as Street Fentanyl?
No. Illicit fentanyl is made in unregulated conditions and can contain harmful substances. Medical fentanyl is safely manufactured and prescribed in controlled doses by healthcare professionals to ensure both effectiveness and safety.
Is There a Risk of Overdose or Addiction to Intranasal Fentanyl?
The doses used for pediatric pain relief are carefully controlled by healthcare providers.
Overdose is extremely rare in a medical setting, and emergency reversal medications like Naloxone are available if needed.
One or two doses used for pain management is not likely to cause addiction. If families have concerns about substance use disorder, they are encouraged to speak with a doctor or nurse.
Helping Families Feel Confident in Their Child’s Care
This new infographic from Dr. Samina Ali is an essential tool for healthcare providers and families alike. By offering clear, accessible information, it helps ensure that children in severe pain receive the best possible care.
View all winning submissions from the IHDCYH Talks competition on the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) webpage.
Explore more TREKK resources for evidence-based pediatric care.
