Duragesic Patches

Duragesic is DEA Schedule 2 Controlled Substance, meaning that:

1. The patient is only allowed a 30 day supply

2. All prescriptions must be new (no refills allowed)

3. Prescriptions cannot be called in - they must be new originals

depends on the hospital "rules"--which change every day depending on what has happened there. duragesic still have fentanyl in the patch after a few days. a hospital worker could just slap one on after taking it off a patient.

Check with your pharmacist. Ask about the synergistic effects of combining the 2 drugs.

It depends on the person and the amount of gel involved. If you're extremely tolerant to Fentanyl, you won't be affected as quickly, but for most people, respiratory / cardiac arrest and death are the most common results. It's slower than Cyanide, but the end result is the same.

Fentanyl patches are designed to deliver a continuous, small dose over a period of 2-3 days. By removing the gel and applying it directly to the skin, the person is bypassing the timed-release component. Most people, high dose Fentanyl users as well, aren't capable of handling that high a dose at one time.

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?

I would have to ask ur dr.. It all depends on your tolerance to the patch and how they affect ur blood pressure and breathing... And if your dr is not doing that before perscribing a strong sleep aid I'd find a new one... Hope this helps.

In general, no. This is because OxyContin is itself a timed-release opiate, and many patients who move up to Fentanyl patches have already been using OxyContin for some time and have become more tolerant to it.

Fentanyl patch patients will typically use oral Oxycodone (usually Percocet) for a breakthrough medication.

It depends on the situation:

1. If your dog stole your boxes and tossed them into the fireplace or campfire because you didn't feed him or let him out, it's not likely you'll get 'em replaced. Same thing if your cat used them as a scratching post/play toy, or they passed them around to chew on (in which case my sympathies for your dead pets).

2. If it's an actual house/car/structure fire, you can always get a copy of the Fire Department report and insurance claim # so that your doctor can verify there actually WAS a fire, and you're not just jerking him around.

Getting a new script refilled might be an issue though; you and your doctor might need to work with your medical insurance reps to get them to waiver the 30 day requirement so you can get them replaced.

In the mean time, stretch those breakthrough meds, use lots of Naproxen and Flexeril, and start using more Tylenol.

The conversion of oral hydromorphone (Opana, Numorphone) to an initial patch dose of 75mcg/hr (skewed toward the lower end) is 28.1-39 mg/day.

Using the following conversion (75mcg=.075mg), the dosage equivalent of Oxymorphone (Opana) (Oral/IV/IM)to Fentanyl (IV/IM) would be 7.50mg's.

Only Sandoz and Watson have the gel mallinckrodt

Teva, Mylan and even the brand Duragesic (new type) are all the plastic polymer

As long as the dog didn't come into contact with the actual gel, there's not any danger. Even licking the adhesive side would take some doing, since it's sustained body heat that triggers the release through the membrane. There's nothing on the outside to lick, save for plastic and dust.

Chewing it or ingesting the gel is another matter though, and you should be sure your patches are folded over and trashed/flushed to keep them away from pets. My wife always gives me grief if one of the dogs finds one of my old patches....

If you figure it out let me know. cant find them anymore

Absolutely not, for several reasons:

1. The amount of hair on most people's thighs precludes obtaining a good attachment of the patch - unless you like shaving your legs and having patch marks on them.

2. The primary reason is that the patch must be applied on the upper torso to ensure good dosage regulation by the heart. Blood flow is further from the heart in the lower extremities, and drug regulation isn't as good.

3. One of the main problems with patch application (I always use my biceps) is that you need a patch of skin that doesn't flex readily with body movement, or you risk the patch adhesive losing adhesion due to skin flexing. Our leg skin flexes considerably during the day.

Terminal cancer patients using several (more than 2) patches typically will have them applied to their back.

In my case, when I was using 2 100mcg patches, I'd overlap the application time, but still used both biceps. While the literature tells you that you shouldn't use the same spot all the time, the reality is that you can, as long as you clean the area and let the skin breathe. During times when I only need one patch, I'd just switch biceps; when using 2, I'd take one off, let the skin breathe for a few hours, then apply a new patch, then do the same on the other patch. This way you don't deal any withdrawal symptoms, as it usually takes a while for you to start feeling it.

You should consult your doctor or pharmacist for specific advice. It can be quite dangerous to mix pain medications.

Actually you can, but it's important to understand why the literature tells you not to.

The reason is that the patch stays applied in the same spot for 48-72 hours, depending on the patient. During this period, the skin in that area doesn't have time to breathe, so keeping it constantly covered will cause skin problems over time.

The trick to using the same spot is to take off the old patch, clean and dry the skin area, then let it breathe for about 2-4 hours before putting on another patch. That's usually enough time before you start feeling withdrawals, and even if you do feel a twinge, you can take some Percocet or other breakthrough meds to compensate while the new patch dose ramps up.

Personally, I used both my biceps; I'd put a new patch on my left bicep when I took the old one off my right one.

Patients may typically apply up to three patches at one time. However, patches should not be worn longer than 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Patches can be cut into smaller pieces before removing the release liner and applying to the skin

YES YES YES, Is all I can say ! I have chewed these and wore these and IF

u take enough it WILL CAUSE confusion & Many other things !

Depends how much you chew OR do and what else is in your system

just the patch ONLY = YES it will CAUSE CONFUSION if taken to much

all I say Is :

BE VERY CAREFULL when using this medication, stronger then oxycontins as well,

I take both for my Pains, and so I am telling you the REAL TRUTH Here !

Wash your hands afterwards and never touch the medicinal side of the patch.

how long does Oxycontin stay in the blood

The only thing to be cognizant and aware of is that it might exacerbate mood swings, which are common with high doses of opiates, and especially Fentanyl patches. However, if you prepare yourself and your family/friends to watch out for such a problem, you shouldn't have any issues with it.

Duragesic/Fentanyl generic patch side effects are pretty much consistent with those of morphine and other similar opiate derivatives. It's important to understand that you shouldn't even be using patches unless you've been using other types of opiates for some time (e.g., Percocet, OxyContin, Morphine, Demerol, etc.). Fentanyl is 100x stronger than morphine, and if you're not already tolerant to opiate side effects, it can be a lot tougher to adjust (deadly if you've no experience with it at all.

Typically though, the most common are constipation, urinary retention, withdrawal effects (as the patch dose winds down after 2-3 days, depending on your usage). Euphoria is a common misconception for those not familiar with regular patch use - you might feel some effects as you get used to it, but after a few weeks, you'll feel pretty normal.

The biggest problem most people have, and the one that friends and family (and co-workers if you're still working) need to be aware of are mood swings and depression. Depression isn't necessarily a side effect of Fentanyl, but it is a common problem with chronic pain patients. Anyone in real, constant pain who says they're not depressed is either not in pain, lying, or in total denial. Pain and depression are constant companions.

The combination of constant pain (even with Fentanyl you'll have some pain) and the opiate effects can cause mood swings when you least expect it. It's what usually alienates friends first, and family members who aren't aware of the complications often think they're the problem, you've gone nuts, or you've got some other type of mental problem. As long as you're aware of the effects, and your friends and family know what can happen and why, you have a much better chance of dealing with it. Most families of chronic pain patients don't survive this because they just don't understand it.

My own family just closes my bedroom door and leaves me alone - I'm amazed they've stuck by me for so many years.

The one potentially harmful side-effect is caused by increased body temperature (fever, sunlight, hot tub, etc.). Fentanyl patch doses are regulated by body temperature, and as long as you're within normal limits or cool, you're okay. However, if your core temp rises, or the patch itself is heated directly while it's applied, it will increase the dosage delivery rate, which can make you delirious or dizzy at best, and send you into respiratory arrest at worst if you're not that tolerant. There have been several times over the years where I've experienced this as a result of increased physical activity, and it's not fun, even when you know what's happening. It's important to let friends and family know what to do if they find you in such a state. My daughter's saved me a couple of times when I was that way.

The quickest way to deal with it is to remove your patch (you can re-apply it later if you maintain the edges) and then get yourself into a cool shower. You can put the patch back on (see my post on doing that) after you've recovered.

The easiest way to avoid that is to be aware of situations you're in that might increase your body temperature.

Patches aren't to be abused or considered taking lightly - they should only be considered when you're not getting long-term benefits from any other opiates, and it's become a quality of life decision. I'm not saying don't use them or avoid or them altogether, but they're not like swallowing a pill every few hours.

It depends - it'll certainly be picked up on the screen, but if you're under a doctor's care and it's your prescription, and you've noted it on the screening documents, then there's not much they can say unless the job involved driving or something that might require a doctor's approval. If they deny you employment based on your medical history only, and there's no specific requirement that you NOT be using that kind of med, then you've got a great discrimination lawsuit.

I don't know but if you try it your a fool