What should you expect to feel if you stop Fentanyl 25 mc patch suddenly?

Answer 1

Like any patch, you won't feel any withdrawal effects for several hours. After that, depending on your dependence level, the withdrawals will increase steadily over time. 25mcg patches aren't very strong, so you'd probably be through it within a week, depending on how long you've used them.

However, like any opiate, it's not recommended just doing it cold turkey, as the withdrawals can be pretty bad if you're not used to it (and bad enough if you are). There are many ways to ease the process, but in general you should have someone staying with you, keep hydrated (Gatorade is great), and warm (opiates dilate the blood vessels, so when the level decreases your blood vessels constrict, making you cold and clammy). Getting a doctor to prescribe an anti-anxiety and nausea med really helps. I've also used Flexeril and Naproxen to ease the discomfort, as well as just to knock me out.

One way I've done it in the past (I've had to increase/decrease my patch dosages many times over the years) is to use decreasing levels of breakthrough meds (Percocet in my case) and OTC meds (I use Tylenol ES Rapid Release geltabs, Bayer Back & Body aspirin) to help deal with the withdrawal pain.

The final key ingredient is mental distraction - internet, or in my case, a large game and video collection. As long as you're focused on something other than your discomfort, it's a big help.

Severe withdrawals are a lot like having a really bad case of the Flu - it's uncomfortable, but unlike Flu, it won't kill you.