Skip to main content

Onsolis

Generic name: fentanyl (buccal)FEN-ta-nil ]
Brand names: Fentora, Onsolis
Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 17, 2024.

Onsolis was discontinued in July 2011.

What is Onsolis?

Onsolis buccal soluble film contains fentanyl, a narcotic (opioid) pain medicine.

Onsolis is used to treat "breakthrough" cancer pain that is not controlled by other medicines. Onsolis is taken together with other non-fentanyl narcotic pain medicine that is used around the clock. This medication is not for treating pain that is not cancer-related, such as general headaches or back pain.

Onsolis may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Onsolis is available only under special programs called Fentora REMS or the FOCUS Program. You must be registered in the program and sign documents stating that you understand the risks and benefits of taking this medication.

Do not use Onsolis unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant.

Onsolis is used to treat "breakthrough" cancer pain. This medication is not for treating pain that is not cancer-related, such as general headaches or back pain.

Do not use Onsolis if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

Before using Onsolis, tell your doctor if you have a breathing disorder, a head injury or brain tumor, seizures, mental illness, a heart rhythm disorder, low blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, or a history of drug or alcohol addiction.

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children or pets. The amount of fentanyl in each Onsolis buccal film can be fatal to a child or pet who accidentally sucks on or swallows it. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens. Fentanyl may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share Onsolis with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

Before using Onsolis

Do not use Onsolis unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Opioid medicines include morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, and others), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), oxycodone (Oxycontin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant. Do not use Onsolis if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

To make sure you can safely take Onsolis, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

Fentanyl may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share Onsolis with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether Onsolis will harm an unborn baby. Fentanyl may cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Onsolis. Fentanyl may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a nursing infant. You should not breast-feed while you are using Onsolis.

How should I use Onsolis?

Use Onsolis exactly as prescribed. Never use fentanyl in larger amounts, or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Use the tongue to wet the inside of the cheek or rinse the mouth with water to wet the area for placement of Onsolis. Open the package immediately prior to use. Place the entire Onsolis film near the tip of a dry finger with the pink side facing up and hold in place. Place the pink side of the Onsolis film against the inside of the cheek. Press and hold the film in place for 5 seconds. The Onsolis film should stay in place on its own after this period.

Onsolis film should not be cut or torn before using.

The Onsolis film will dissolve within 15 to 30 minutes after application. The film should not be manipulated with the tongue or fingers and eating food should be avoided until the film has dissolved. You may drink liquids after 5 minutes.

If your doctor tells you to use more than one Onsolis film at the same time for your breakthrough cancer pain, do not put the films on top of each other. Onsolis films may be placed on either side of your mouth.

If you switch from using Actiq (fentanyl oral transmucosal devices) to using Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablets) or Onsolis (fentanyl buccal soluble film), you will not use the same dose. Fentora and Onsolis are given at lower doses than Actiq. Fentanyl dosage must also be adjusted if switching between Onsolis and Fentora.

If you feel dizzy, nauseated, or very sleepy while the film is still in your mouth, spit the medicine out into a sink or toilet and rinse your mouth with water to remove all remaining pieces of the film. Call your doctor for instructions.

If your pain does not completely go away, use a second film only if your doctor has approved it.

Wait at least 2 hours to treat a new pain episode with Onsolis film.

Call your doctor if you have breakthrough pain more than 4 times in one day while using this medicine.

Do not stop using Onsolis suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Onsolis. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children or pets. The amount of fentanyl in each Onsolis film can be fatal to a child or pet who accidentally sucks on or swallows it. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.

Store Onsolis at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the medicine its original package until you are ready to take your dose. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Fentanyl is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription.

Throw away unused Onsolis films by removing them from the foil packaging and flushing them down a toilet. Disposal of medicines by flushing is recommended to reduce the danger of accidental overdose causing death. This advice applies to a very small number of medicines only. The FDA, working with the manufacturer, has determined this method to be the most appropriate route of disposal and presents the least risk to human safety

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Onsolis is used on an as needed basis, you are not likely to miss a dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A fentanyl overdose can be fatal.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme weakness or dizziness, pinpoint pupils, cold and clammy skin, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop).

What should I avoid?

Do not use Onsolis with any other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result. Onsolis may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Onsolis will affect you. Do not drink alcohol. It can increase drowsiness or breathing problems caused by Onsolis.

Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Onsolis and lead to potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Onsolis side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Onsolis: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Onsolis and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

Less serious Onsolis side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Onsolis?

Do not take Onsolis with any other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing. Dangerous side effects may result.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Onsolis. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Popular FAQ

Any drug that is classified as an "opioid" can cause constipation. Examples of commonly prescribed opioids that may cause this side effect include morphine, tramadol, fentanyl, methadone, hydrocodone, codeine and oxycodone. Continue reading

When illegally used fentanyl is abused or taken in an overdose, this opioid can quickly be fatal because it is so potent and people are not used to its effects. Fentanyl is often laced into street drugs and consumed unknowingly by users, leading to death. Also, when it's used in combination with other central nervous system depressants like opioids, alcohol or benzodiazepines, the risk of overdose and death multiplies. Continue reading

A fentanyl overdose may result in signs and symptoms such as:

  • stupor (dazed or nearly unconscious)
  • coma (cannot be awakened, unable to speak)
  • pupil constriction
  • slowed or absent breathing (respiratory depression or failure)
  • cyanosis (bluish or purplish tint to the skin, lips or fingernails due to low oxygen levels)
  • vomiting
  • heartbeat slows or stops
  • death
Continue reading

Fentanyl test strips can be found at your local health department, at a community needle-exchange program, from reliable online sources, or even vending machines in some states. Once the strip is dipped into a sample of the drug (usually dissolved in a small amount of water), the results indicate if fentanyl is present. Follow the instructions for use on your specific test strips. Continue reading

Traces of fentanyl can stay in your system for a lot longer than it takes for the effects of fentanyl to wear off. Drug testing can detect fentanyl or its metabolites (breakdown products) in urine for 24 to 72 hours, in blood for 5 to 48 hours, and in hair for up to 3 months, but it cannot be consistently detected in saliva. Continue reading

Both illicit fentanyl and carfentanil are extremely dangerous opioids that may lead to a quick overdose and death when abused, but carfentanil is more potent than fentanyl. Multiple doses of the anti-overdose drug naloxone (Narcan) may not be effective to reverse an overdose. Continue reading

Fentanyl is an extremely potent, synthetic (man-made) opioid. It is about 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. In contrast, heroin is 2 to 3 times more powerful than morphine. Fentanyl is a legally prescribed drug for pain in the US and is classified as Schedule II controlled substance when used for legitimate purposes. Heroin is illegal in the U.S. and is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. Continue reading

More FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Onsolis only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.