Fentanyl
Fentanyl has been studied in 6 papers since 2021: 2 trials and 2 observational studies in people, 1 in animals, 1 review; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Feb 12, 2026: “Sufentanil increases delirium risk compared to fentanyl in elderly perioperative ischemic stroke patients: a retrospective cohort study”.
“Transdermal fentanyl use was associated with an 8-fold excess mortality risk (8.26 (7.18-9.51)).”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 3 independent labs in 2 countries
- 17 trials, none about aging, 1 with no results posted
- Funders: Capital Region of Denmark and 1 more
- 1 of 17 trials sponsored by its developers
- Human trial2
- Humans2
- Animals1
What is Fentanyl linked with?
2Studies link Fentanyl with 2 measures, most often postoperative delirium (1 study) and mortality (1).
Postoperative delirium
downin humans1OR 0.017
1 study
Postoperative delirium
downin humans1OR 0.017
Fentanyl lowers the risk of postoperative delirium in humans (OR 0.017, 95% CI 0.003-0.070, p < 0.001).
“Fully adjusted models showed fentanyl use was associated with a substantially reduced risk of POD (OR: 0.017, 95% CI: 0.003-0.070, p < 0.001).”
Humanselderly perioperative ischemic stroke patientsn = 178
Frontiers in medicine
Mortality
upin humans1
1 study
Mortality
upin humans1
Fentanyl raises the risk of mortality in humans (an 8-fold excess mortality risk (8.26 (7.18-9.51))).
“Transdermal fentanyl use was associated with an 8-fold excess mortality risk (8.26 (7.18-9.51)).”
Humansolder people with dementiatransdermal180 days
New opioid use and mortality in older people with dementia
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD
What acts on Fentanyl?
1Studies name 1 thing that act on Fentanyl, most often iliac fascia block (1 study).
Iliac fascia block
downin humans1
1 study
Iliac fascia block
downin humans1
Iliac fascia block decreases fentanyl in humans (411.5 ± 47.2 vs. 738.7 ± 82.4 μg).
“The dosage of fentanyl in the radiomics-guided group was 411.5 ± 47.2 μg, and that in the general anesthesia group was 738.7 ± 82.4 μg, and the dosage of fentanyl in the radiomics-guided group was significantly less than that in the general anesthesia group (P < 0.05).”
Human trial
Computational and mathematical methods in medicine
Iliac fascia block decreases fentanyl in humans (P < 0.05).
“Compared with the general anesthesia group, the dosage of fentanyl in the radiomics-guided was lower”
Human trialhip surgery
Computational and mathematical methods in medicine
Trial sponsors
Company4 trialsPhase 4202 people
Company1 trialPhase 42,450 people
Health Sciences North Research Institute
1 trialPhase 4220 people
1 trialPhase 4100 people
1 trialPhase 466 people
1 trialPhase 458 people
1 trialPhase 440 people
1 trialEarly phase 1276 people