FONA Anyone?

[1EMT-P]

Are any of you currently using Fentanyl for ACS or Chest Pain in the field? A friend of mine who is a PA in the ED told me that they use FONA instead of MONA where he works.

[paramedicmike]

We have the choice. If their pressure doesn't support the use of morphine we can consider fentanyl. However, if their pressure is somewhat "normo-tensive" (please note the quotes) or elevated, I like to go with, and the docs seem to prefer use of, morphine.

-be safe

[Thunderchild145]

I had heard the Fentanyl didn't have the same vasodilater effects as morphine, so no.

[ERDoc]

Fentalnyl isn't as vasoactive but it can still help with the pain.

[1EMT-P]

As I understand it, Fentanyl is very lipid soluble & has a much faster onset than Morphine Sulfate does. It also causes less respiratory depression & histamine release than other narcotic pain medications.

[ERDoc]

As I understand it, Fentanyl is very lipid soluble & has a much faster onset than Morphine Sulfate does. It also causes less respiratory depression & histamine release than other narcotic pain medications.

It's also shorter acting, which is why I like to use it for traumas. I give it to them when they come in and it won't affect their VSs much. By the time it wears off I have had time to watch a few sets of vitals and then can move on to morphine or dilaudid.