How does Fioricet with Codeine interact with Fentanyl patches?

Answer 1

Duragesic (Fentanyl Transdermal) patches are used for Primary Chronic Pain; they last for up to 3 days depending on the patient and tolerance level. For example, I'm one of a small percentage of the population that only gets 48 hours from my patches, and that's due to my high tolerance level - I've been using them for 9 years.

Percocet (Oxycodone and Tylenol) is used for Breakthrough Pain - Breakthrough Pain is that pain which the patient feels after activity causes pain being controlled by the patches to exceed the pain controlling capability of the Fentanyl. Percocet, being an Acute pain drug, is used to compensate for the temporary increase in pain.

The combination of Fentanyl patches and Percocet is very common - I myself have used the combination in varying strengths and doses for a very long time. While I'm currently using the strongest doses available, at times I've had to increase my dosages and augment them with other opiates such as Demerol and MS Contin.

Answer 2

Since Fioricet/Codeine is a Schedule 3 drug (meaning not even close to the potency level of Fentanyl) it doesn't really affect the therapeutic levels. However, using anything that depresses the system further (it contains Butalbital), if you're not tolerant enough it can have an adverse effect on your breathing.

It really depends on your tolerance level, meaning how long you've been using each drug. Each works a bit differently than the other, so they don't typically affect each other directly. In my own experience, I've not noticed much difference when using it with my own patches. In my case, I use Fiorinal w/Codeine, which is the aspirin equivalent, with Duragesic, having used Duragesic for 10 years and Fiorinal w/Codeine for 20 years.

I use Fiorinal for migraines, while Fentanyl and Percocet I use for long term chronic pain. Fentanyl or Percocet doesn't help my migraines, and Fiorinal doesn't affect my spinal pain.