It depends on the patient - by instruction, the patch must be applied on the upper torso or upper extremities (arms). Most people tend to put them on their back or chest, but I learned early on that for the back you need someone to change them, and the chest/stomach area has both too much hair and the skin flexes too much with activity.
As a result, for many years I've worn them on my biceps - they're flat, the patches easy to put on them with one hand, and the skin doesn't flex very much there. When using 1 100mcg patch, I just switch arms when it's time to put a new one on. When I have to increase to 2 100mcg patches, I use both arms, but take one off a few hours before the other to clean it and let the skin breathe before putting on a new one and taking the other one off. That way your dosage doesn't drop much during the process, and if you feel breakthrough you can take a Percocet or whatever your breakthrough med is to cover it.
The key to keeping a patch on (see the link to my answer on that below) is to make sure the skin is clean and there's no hair present. The literature says not to use any Isopropyl alcohol - that's because it leaves a residue. Problem is, it's difficult to remove skin oil and dirt without it. To get around the problem, clean it with Iso, then rinse the area well to make sure any residue is washed off. Dry the skin well, then apply the patch. If there's a lot of hair or micro-hairs, you might need to shave it off as well. Before you put the patch on, hold it between your hands (still attached to the backing) for about a minute to soften the adhesive. Apply it, then put your hand over it for another minute to ensure the adhesive gets a good bond to the skin. You'll find it sticks pretty well after that.
Since the fentanyl patch is a time released, transdermal patch that is being absorbed into your blood stream it doesn't seem that there would actually be a "better place". The most important thing to do is to make certain that you locate the patch in an area that is not constantly rubbed or bothered so that your patch does not come off. On your upper arm or on your chest is probably the best place to put it. Also, alternating areas so that the area does not become irritated is also probably a pretty good idea.
On the top half of your body eg chest, sholders, top of the arms, etc. Remember to always change the placement of the patch to give the area of skin a break. Hope this helpd
the most effective place to put a phentynol patch is on your neck, over your jugular...
You put it on any muscle!
anywhere
Whether the Fentanyl patch or oxycodone 30mg is better for your chronic pain depends exclusively on what is causing the problem and what your body can tolerate. Many patients have found better relief with the patch, but you should talk to your doctor about your options.
Type your answer here... report and document
True , but all it would do is make the onset of the drug quicker not stronger
No - anything that insulates the patch can cause body heat to increase in the patch area, which will increase the dosage delivery rate of the patch. If you don't have a really high opiate tolerance above what your normal dosage is, an overdose is a real possibility. Even for someone with a high opiate tolerance, it's not fun - delirium/confusion is the usual result, and it's extremely disorienting, even when you know what's happening. The only way to deal with it is to remove the patch and get yourself cooled off to lower body temperature. Just don't fold the patch - you CAN re-apply it if the edges are intact. If you're having problems keeping it on, check out my answer on ways to keep it on at the related question link below (How do you keep Fentanyl patches applied?). There are many other ways to keep it stuck to your body.
Always apply the detox foot paste patch to clean, dry feet. Apply the patch to the top, arch, or heel of each foot. Leave the patch on overnight while you sleep. In the morning, remove the patch and check the color. If the patch is dark, the next night apply the patch to the same body part, as more toxins need to be removed.
Sweating shouldn't really change it, no. There are many types of patches now, but some are indeed stimulated by heat so the increased body temperature that sweat is a reaction to may cause a patch to release more fentanyl at a time. The way these patches work are quite complex, though, and once it's in your body who knows what happens to get it working?
Yes, it will still show up the same (if you live to take a test) but your body will have massive amounts of the Fentanyl in your system instead of a certain microgram per hour as the Fentanyl Transdermal System is made for. You shouldn't be eating these whatsoever. You can die from this. People whom are tolerant to these but using them transdermally still could die from eating a patch. Be careful and very smart of how you use a drug. Know ALL risks and side effects.
Yes, I have heard that you apply the patch to your body just like any other type of patch on the market today. I have a friend who uses them and he is happy with the results so far.
Duragesic and other Fentanyl patches release Fentanyl dosages transdermally (through the skin and into the bloodstream). The dosage is regulated by body heat, which is why immersing the patch in hot water, exposing it to sunlight, getting a fever, or engaging in activity that raises core body temperature, can increase the dosage delivery rate and cause problems if the patient/family/friends aren't educated on the precautions and what to do if they start feeling the effects of an increased dose.
No - in fact, if you're running a fever, you should remove the patch anyway. Increased body/skin temperature increases the dosage delivery rate through the skin, and if you're not careful or aware, you could easily wind up with a fentanyl overdose, or worse. The biggest indication is you'll start feeling disoriented and confused - get the patch off and get cooled down as fast as possible if that occurs.
This refers to a Fentanyl Transdermal patch, which is commonly used for chronic pain patients like myself that need continuous long-term opiate therapy. It is regulated by body heat, and is extremely effective. There are several doses - 12.5, 25, 50, 75 and 100mcg patches, all of which can be used with one another to make specific dosages. For example, though my normal dose is 100mcg, I typically have to use 200mcg, so I'll use 2 100mcg patches.
2 mg The previous answer is incorrect. Fentanyl can be fatal in doses less than a milligram, and is usually measured and dispensed on the microgram scale. Depending on opiate tolerance and body mass, fentanyl can cause respiratory depression on a wide scale of doses. For this reason, it is an extremely dangerous drug, and is restricted to hospital use in sedation and pain management, and in rare outpatient circumstances where patients have become too opiate competent/tolerant, and require fentanyl, usually delivered as a lozenge, such as Actiq, or in a patch, such as Duragesic.