Generic Name: Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl)
Fentanyl Transdermal System Reviews
For Pain "The 'FALSE' opioid hysteria will pass in a few years, but unfortunately, many people will suffer until that time, and some, unfortunately, will not survive their malady until the ten or twenty years pass, thus, living out their remaining years in unnecessary pain!"
For Chronic Pain "Fentanyl patch gave me my life back. My pain level went from a constant 8-10 to a 3-4. I went from being bedridden to being able to clean my home and cook for myself. Then 2018 came and the doctor stopped prescribing patches due to new CDC regulations. Now I am bedridden again 75% of the time. And pain at a constant 9-10."
For Chronic Pain "I have a lot of experience with fentanyl patches, they have always worked. Now I've been switched to a different brand due to lack of insurance. I had to drop the price, never before has a brand not worked. Now, this particular brand not only does it not work, it doesn't do anything at all. With all the equivalent testing, how is this possible? Although I would never accuse someone of this, especially a drug company, it's almost like there is no fentanyl on the patch at all. What's even crazier is that the particular patch that doesn't work claims to have bioequivalence testing and that they're just as good as the brand name. I have personally used one or two generic companies that are the best I have ever used. This is a drug that gives people quality of life, and without it, they may as well give up. Fentanyl Transdermal System, drug used properly, is one of the best that has ever been made. Now they are making generic so cheap that I'm not even sure that the drug is actually on the patch, that is very scary."
For Chronic Pain "I was a 36-year-old L&D/Peds Nurse, Vol. FF/Paramedic. Then I began suffering from horrific, excruciating, horrendous, insidious, debilitating pain. I ended up bedridden, unable to walk, forced to crawl on the floor between the bed & bathroom. It got so bad that I couldn't live even another 10 minutes with no relief in sight, I attempted to put myself out of my misery. I was out of my mind from the blinding pain. My PCP referred me to my Pain Mgt. Dr who placed on Fentanyl patches, they saved my life, & gave me my quality of life back again. I'll never be pain-free, never work as a Nurse again, or live the life that I once had, but I can go out to dinner with my Husband, & go to lunch/shopping w/my Mom &/or Daughter. Fentanyl Patches gave me my life back again. Mylan is THE ONLY brand that works. Apotex by Avena is absolutely 100% a worthless waste of time & money. Never accept Apotex Avena patches! Trust me."
For Chronic Pain "I had a fall in Marine Corps Training in 1970. I was the only person in my platoon who had not fallen from an obstacle called the slide for life. I was told to fall and salute my Series Commander on the way down. I fell 43 feet in water and mud flat on my back. I have been in pain as my back got worse. After 6 operations and waiting for the 7th one, I am in tremendous pain. I used Fentanyl for 3 years with great results. The recent war against people who abuse drugs has grouped in it people who do not abuse and are really in pain."
For Chronic Pain "Have been on for over 22 years. I was first prescribed patches from a Neurologist MD, then my family Doc. Now, because of the media hype, drug abusers, and FDA guidelines, I go to a pain clinic where I have an amazing Doc. He has me pre-approved for a higher dose. I've had to go from 175mg/hr to 112mg/hr and take Norco for breakthrough pain. But now, because it takes 2 patches to get to that dose, the guidelines only want me to be on 1 patch. So, they want me to go down to just the 100mg/hr. ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? My kidneys can't take more pills/meds. I have 4 different and very rare diseases that cause very extreme pain, of which there is no cure. If we all got together and wrote a letter with as many other people who have the same problems, maybe we could make a difference. I can't function without pain management. Mallinckrodt and Mylan are the best brands available."
For Chronic Pain "I am on 150mcg Fentanyl transdermal patch and have been for ten years. It adequately treats my degenerative disc disease when many other meds, including morphine, did not. I was treated at a Hospital in Boston, at their Pain Clinic and was lucky. I am lucky but it is not easy street, there are the side effects of constipation, and memory loss, etc. But I don't have many choices, at least the patches take care of my pain for about 90 percent of the time. Different medications affect us all differently. Luckily for me my MDs were able to treat me. We must learn that we don't have to beat ourselves or allow others to beat us up for our illnesses. We wouldn't deny cancer patients their pain meds but we have different views for people and patients with other chronic pain illnesses. A UK study, around 2008, claimed that more than ¾ of pain patients were not being adequately treated for pain."
For Chronic Pain "I have liver disease from years of Tylenol by hands full. I had to function so I could work. I have severe migraines and later in life developed bad back but I refuse to have surgery. My sister had surgery, enough said. I was on the patches for a couple of years with Norco for breakthrough pain. I was doing so well I could walk and even go places where I had to walk. With all the bad press and government regulations, my doctor stopped prescribing it to any patient. With the patches, there was more of an even keel managing the pain with my back. I have now gone back to the condition I was in 3 years ago. The druggie creeps are causing me to suffer, and I'm angry. I don't want to spend what years I have left sitting in a recliner. I just want to function."
For Chronic Pain "I am a university-affiliated clinical pharmacist who oversees the healthcare of several elderly patients - some of whom suffer from severe chronic pain resulting from a variety of clinical conditions. In my experience, transdermal fentanyl patches only occasionally provide satisfactory pain relief over the full 72 hr period - assuming the dose has been properly titrated. I have seen the best results by using multiple, lower-dose patches. For example, if a patient requires a 75 mcg patch, better results are obtained by using 3 x 25 mcg patches - with patch #2 added on day 2 and patch #3 added on day 3 (and with each patch being left in place for a full 72 hrs). This gives better control + fewer side effects."
For Pain "I've had severe pain for the last 15 years after a T10 vertebrae fracture from an accident. I've had fentanyl patches for the last 12 years. It has provided the most pain relief and is the most constant pain relief that I've had. Now because of the opioid 'scare & abuse' they are tapering me off the patches altogether. I am scared to death about the amount of pain I'm going to be in. Right now my pain level is about 7.5. By the time the patches are gone, I'll be literally flopping around like a fish out of water. That's how bad the pain was to begin with! The doctor doesn't have an answer as to how to control the pain after that. I've just been told that opioids don't work for chronic pain, but I've found numerous articles stating that they DO work for some people's pain."
For Chronic Pain "After years of all the other opioid pain pills, I was put on Fentanyl 25mcg. Initial problems getting the patch to stick, I contacted the manufacturer, and they were very helpful. They have supplied Askina film dressings to cover the patch, and they never fall off anymore. TegaDerm patches work very well also. I was also increased to one patch every 48 hours since it seems to wear off long before 72 hours. I do leave them on for 72 hours but alternate locations every 48 hours. What a difference. Very little pain, if any, and I'm no longer loopy or half asleep all the time. Fentanyl has been a blessing for my lower back and leg pain. By the way, I suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis. Hope this is helpful to others."
For Chronic Pain "The Apotex brand of patch is by far the most ineffective I’ve ever used. As if no medication is being delivered? When I use other brands (see below), the experience is very different. If your pharmacy has options, I would recommend AVOIDING Apotex. In my experience, this is how I rate fentanyl patches from the best to worst: Sandoz, 3M, Mylan, Apotex. Good luck."
For Chronic Pain "I was on 75 mcg patches for 12 years after a horrible accident that smashed my knees and back. I made the mistake of working in very hot weather, and a patch sweated off twice in my monthly prescription cycle. The doctors refused to replace the patches, and I got horrific withdrawals. After reaching out for help, I was put on Suboxone to wean me off the patches, labelled a drug addict, and have been made to jump through hoops to get any form of decent analgesia. If this happens to you, don't ask for help, wait for the withdrawals to pass, or you'll go through 10 months of hell with pain like I've had to."
For Chronic Pain "My husband has been on the 25mcg Fentanyl patch for almost 5 years, and it has been a lifesaver for him. The main problem for him is the constipation, which if he drinks his Smooth Move senna tea daily, it relieves the constipation. Also, for people who say the patch comes off, first use skin prep wipes by Smith & Nephew, apply the patch, and then apply a Tegaderm Film cover over the patch. If you use products like this, your patch won't come off, and it's waterproof too. Even when you get the 'sweats,' the patch will stay on. Most of these products you can get at medical supply stores or eBay."
For Chronic Pain "Was on fentanyl Duragesic for a number of years when the brand I was using became unavailable. Tried 3 other brands over the next few months. I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive in 2 of them. Mallinckrodt was the brand that worked for me. No allergic reaction to it. My Dr. has had me trying other forms of pain control in the past year, with unfavorable results from severe allergic reactions to not effective. I just called my pharmacy to have them order Mallinckrodt. Atlas the Dr. had sent in a prescription for me to start fentanyl. If Mallinckrodt is not available, not sure what I can do. Thanks."
For Chronic Pain "I survived nerve sheath cancer; a cancer with a very low survival rate, and pain that's off the charts. I needed the fentanyl patch to work since now laws have been pushed into effect that cut doses to unsustainably low milligrams."
For Chronic Pain "I have been using the 50mcg patches for about 2 years. They are a lifesaver and I found an almost foolproof way to get them to stick. I find that my thigh works best, and I keep them shaved in the application area (I'm a guy so I don't shave my legs) but before applying a new patch, I use a single-use alcohol pad (for cleaning before an injection) and then once dry, apply the patch and hold for a good 30 seconds. They always stick, and in fact, on the 3rd day, they actually hurt a bit coming off like a bandaid. I think the oil on your skin is what keeps them from sticking well. I also apply my new patch and leave the old one on for an extra 8-12 hours, which keeps the withdrawal symptoms to a minimum."
For Pain "The fentanyl transdermal system (Duragesic 75 mcg/hr) aids greatly in the relief of my lower back pain. The only downside to the fentanyl patch is that after two days or 48 hours of wearing the patch, it seems as though my pain resurfaces pretty badly upon the third day of wearing the system. I spoke with my primary physician about this issue and he suggested dispensing 15 patches each month so I could replace the system once every 48 hours or two days. Since I've been changing the patch every two days, my pain has reduced greatly and I haven't had to use my 'rescue' oxycodone 20 mg IR tablets as much. THANK YOU DURAGESIC."
For Chronic Pain "I have had 5 back surgeries in four years with the last one being a double fusion at L4 to S1. This last surgery failed again, and they are now considering another one to fuse my lumbar spine all together. I have been on Fentanyl patch along with Percocet for three plus years. I take 150 mcg every 48 hours along with ten Percocet a day and still in pain. I just wish I could find something that relieves the pain to at least allow me somewhat of a better life. Right now I am basically housebound and depressed and sometimes very angry."
For Pain "These have saved my life. I've been on the patch for 3 months, 25 mcg every 48 hours. I think maybe one more adjustment will do it. Keep in mind they are to be used with breakthrough medicine also. Well, since I've been on patches, I forgot about pills. Still have to take them, though. I have a 6-year-old boy I can play with again. That means the world to me. Give them time to work, it took 3 adjustments to get them right, it took 6 weeks, three 2-week trial periods. A word of warning: my doctor went on vacation during the trial period. I had only been taking them for a month, the withdrawals were very bad. As soon as he got back, I couldn't wait to start on them again. That says a lot. You have to plan ahead with these meds. Call 4 or 5 days before a refill."
For Pain "I sympathize with the anonymous user who has been on the patch for only one month (comments dated 4/24). I have been on this patch for 8-10 years now. Sadly... Long story short, I went through a lot in the beginning too. I am one of the small percentage of people who needed to change the patch every 48 hours instead of 72 because I was experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms (which is what you are describing) whenever I waited 72 hours. The 48 hours made a difference. However, it isn't a perfect system, there are problems, sweating it off during summer, no more pool, etc. It's not perfect, and breakthrough medicines are needed in my case. Long-term use gets tricky, be careful and good luck."
For Pain "I have used Fentanyl patch for 8 years. I have oxycodone for breakthrough pain. I have bulging disc L4-L5, fibromyalgia, depression, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disc and back disease, chronic pain, and fatigue. The side effects I have are constipation and sweats. When I have a really active day on the 3rd day, I do notice I hurt more and use the pain medicine. I try not to overuse them. I am monitored regularly. Still need an epidural or trigger point shots occasionally. I became disabled at age 39, now 50. That part is not good, but life is manageable now! I can live again!"
For Chronic Pain "Been using the fentanyl patch for about 6 years now, using 2 100mcg patches every 48 hours. Using 72 hours, the pain would come back with withdrawal symptoms. The major problem was getting it to stay on, but covering it with a Tegaderm took care of most of that issue. It works for pain better than oral medicines and you don't have to go through the trouble of swallowing pills all the time, just apply and forget it for a couple of days. I would recommend this as a good alternative to pills."
For Chronic Pain "I have MFP (chronic peritonitis). I have severe abdominal issues. I have had 9 surgeries from 1978 to 1998. In 1997, I had gastroparesis. I was put on hyperalimentation for 8 years. I was put on fentanyl then for pain. I have been on 75 mcg for 20 years. I have continued to work and function. 2 years ago, I had to have surgery. I asked for them to decrease my fentanyl to 50 mcg. I also take oxycodone. Recently, I was told that the FDA has guidelines that you can only have 90 equivalents in your system, mine was well over that. Now they have decreased to 37.5, and they started that. Still too high, they have decreased my oxycodone from 10 to now 5 mg three times a day, and they have tried cannabis, so now I have been pushed back to 40 years ago. I also have pancreatitis, Crohn's, and ulcerative colitis on top of all that, plus a few more illnesses that cause pain. I am also facing going back on hyperal because of all this. Fentanyl worked well, and I had 12 years of somewhat good health from 1999 to 2011."
For Chronic Pain "Hands-down THE most effective pain relief I've ever had!! I've been wearing 25mcg for 2 months now. 1st month, I wore Actavis clear gel-filled. This month I'm wearing Apotex band-aid type patch. I'm not certain which I prefer. Gel-filled was great, but I was always paranoid with it buckling. On the downside, my lips are raw due to my mouth being so dry. I also itch like crazy!! The fact that the pain relief is so phenomenal, I don't see me changing meds. I take no breakthrough meds except occasional Advil. Pills were a problem for me as I would always take too much. Another reason that the Fentanyl patch is a Godsend!"
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