Pharmacology · single question
A patient with IV drug abuse needs dental treatment. Which drug is CONTRAINDICATED?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Fentanyl
- A. Incorrect. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic — not a drug of abuse and not contraindicated in IV drug users per se.
- B. Incorrect. Ibuprofen (NSAID) is safe in most drug users unless there is renal/hepatic compromise.
- C. Correct. FENTANYL (a potent opioid, 80–100× more potent than morphine) is CONTRAINDICATED in a patient with IV drug abuse. Administering a high-potency opioid to someone with a history of IV drug abuse risks severe dependency escalation, overdose, or fatal respiratory depression, especially given cross-tolerance and potential polydrug use.
- D. Incorrect. Midazolam (a benzodiazepine) requires caution but is used for dental sedation — it is not automatically contraindicated in all drug users, though care is needed.