What is Lazanda?
Lazanda is a brand name for fentanyl, an opioid pain medicine delivered as a nasal spray. It’s designed for breakthrough cancer pain in adults who already take opioid pain medicines for their ongoing (baseline) pain [1].
What is it used for?
Doctors use Lazanda to treat breakthrough pain episodes—pain that “breaks through” despite regular long-acting opioid treatment. It is not intended for routine everyday pain and is not for people who do not already have opioid tolerance [1].
How is Lazanda taken?
Lazanda is given as a spray into the nose, with dosing aimed at controlling a breakthrough pain episode. Exact instructions (including when to take it and how many doses are allowed in a given time) are set by the prescriber and the product directions for safety reasons [1].
Who should not use it?
People who are not opioid-tolerant, children, and those with conditions or situations that make opioid use unsafe are generally not candidates. Because fentanyl is potent, improper use can lead to serious breathing problems. Prescribing information includes safety limits and eligibility criteria [1].
What are the key safety concerns people ask about?
The main risk with fentanyl products like Lazanda is respiratory depression (slowed or stopped breathing). Other opioid risks include sedation, constipation, and dependence/addiction. Patients are typically counseled to use the exact dose and to avoid mixing with other medicines that depress the nervous system [1].
How does it compare to other fentanyl options?
Lazanda is a nasal fentanyl formulation. Other breakthrough cancer pain options include different routes (such as oral transmucosal products or other fentanyl formulations), with different onset and administration characteristics. Choice depends on what a patient can use safely and effectively [1].
What to know about storage and accidental exposure
Like other fentanyl formulations, Lazanda requires careful storage to prevent accidental exposure, especially for household members or caregivers. Keeping it secured and following disposal instructions helps reduce overdose risk [1].
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Sources
[1] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=201241