Fentanyl

It depends - if you're just removing it by the edges, you're not going to get any real contact with the gel. If the patch is cut and you come into contact with it, that's a different story, but if you wash it off quickly, you'll likely not have any problems with it.

The contact issue only affects non-users if the gel comes into contact with the skin, since the gel itself contains a concentrated amount of Fentanyl within it. Used patches approaching the 72 hour mark (I used to change mine at around 68 when I was on a 3 day dose, 44 when I changed to 2 days) are already pretty depleted of the gel, but it's still good to take precautions when handling used ones.

For the newer non-gel patches, you'd need to have skin contact for at least a few minutes to get any real exposure, as the dosage delivery is generated by body heat. Even so, with or without gel I'd recommend using either your fingernails or a pair of tweezers to remove the patches by the edges, then fold it in half per the patch literature and dispose of it, you're pretty much covering yourself from exposure. The best option if you're removing old patches is to just use nitrile gloves - you can't use them for applying patches, but you can use them to remove and dispose of them. Just grab the edge, pull it off, fold it and dispose, or if just one, hold it in your gloved hand then pull the glove off over it and dispose.

There aren't many studies or data available on long-term Fentanyl (or opiate for that matter) patients for a variety of reasons, but in general it's because that until the last few years, opiate therapy wasn't really widely accepted, and it still hasn't been by all doctors. The other reason is that opiate patients typically tend to be terminally ill, so they're not around long enough to study the effects on. A smaller percentage of patients are long term chronic pain patients and Duragesic users like myself, but the number is growing who are being prescribed it.

Pain management hasn't really been at the forefront of medicine until the past few years. However, again it comes down to a quality of life decision - if you're in constant extreme pain 24/7/365, it doesn't make a difference what the long term effects are - I guarantee you that the short term effects of that pain will kill your spirit long before the effects of long term opiate use will.

For any long-term user of Duragesic like myself, it is fundamentally a quality of life decision to start or continue with opiate therapy. Of course there are long term physical considerations, and the normal side effects of opiates in general (mood swings, urination problems, constipation, etc.), but those can be dealt with as long as you learn how to deal with them. The reality is that if you're in enough constant extreme pain to require Duragesic use, then long term effects aren't really an issue, as the extreme pain will kill your spirit long before the effects of using opiates long term will.

If you're referring to stored patches, they can, but if stored in a cool dry place in the original packages, they can last for a very long time. They're damaged by heat, as it's body heat that regulates the flow of the drug.

I keep mine in a plastic container in a nice dark, cool room.

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, Drug interaction Moderate level. Talk to your Dr. And or Pharmacist.

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.

I was wondering the samething...so after experimenting and obtaining three single panel tests for different opiates; I've concluded that having fent in the system will not show up on an "opi" (tests for: heroine, morphine, codeine opium), nor will it show up on an "oxy" test, and it will not show up on a methadone "mtd" test. On a standard U/A, opi is standard, methadone is sometimes on it--and oxy may be too. Fentanyl is a special opiate, b/c it's synthetic and hard to test for....test yourself first! hope this was helpful.

heroin is illegal

This is an addition to the above-mentioned answer. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid. Meanwhile, heroine is semi-synthetic opioid which is made by adding two acetyl groups to morphine.

From what i have experienced yes, now let me clarify that i was taking something akin to the patch but using intravenous which always gives a stronger feeling but 25 mgs is pretty low of methadone ( i am currently using 135mgs daily) of the syrup at a clinic but overall yes i believe that it should easily breakthrough but heed a warning if you are not a longterm user of opiates dont even touch the patch

marijuana stays in your body temporarily for a few hours in to you urinate the effect will go a way.....

The link to the Duragesic Conversion Tables is below.

For oral Dilaudid (hydromorphone) the equivalent dose would be between 75-80mg's.

Duragesic Transdermal patches use normal body heat to regulate the dosage over 48-72 hours. If body heat is increased, the dosage delivery rate is increased as well. This can also happen if the person exposes the patch to sunlight, or is engaged in physical activity that raises core body temperature.

Depending on the overall dependence and tolerance of the patient, the effects can be minimal or deadly. Having an extremely high tolerance to Fentanyl after many years, I've occasionally had to deal with the problem, and it's not easy. For most, respiratory depression is the first problem, but for tolerant patients, confusion and disorientation is the biggest problem. I've equated it to being stuck in a loop that you can't get yourself out of without help.

It's important to let family and friends know what to do in case you start acting this way - have them get you to remove your patch and get you cooled down immediately (shower, drinking water, etc.) to lower your body temperature. Make sure you don't fold the patch over or ruin it as it can be reapplied with tape or a Bioclusive bandage after you've recovered.

It depends on the test used and how recently you consumed the fentanyl. I would assume it will be detected.

Don't "eat" fentanyl. It's neither safe nor real bright.

You can ask your doctor to prescribe you a diuretic. Another problem people generally have from opiates like oxycodone and fentanyl is constipation.

I think usually you allow 7 days, 'cause you start on the first day of your period. And you follow a 7-day rule when you miss a pill. If you have took the pill on the first day of your period you are protected as soon as you take it. Any other time it usually takes up to 7 days so i would use a condom in that time and you will be protected :)

Yes

20 mg of Opana ER

i would call a poison control center...

This is a very complicated question.Thyroid med can increase your pulse rate,possibly B/P as well.B/P meds are to lower B/p. You do not say if Fentanyl is oral or patches. Either way, this tends to lower B/P. This can be a problematical situation.

You haven't told me if same doc prescribed all these meds.If you see more than one doc[like hmo or clinic], take ALL meds with you to EVERY appt. If you are using Fentanyl patches you must follow directions VERY PRECISELY!

Best bet: Make an appt and take all meds with you. Talk to doc. When yyou get meds, read and keep all info sheets.I keep mine stuck to fridge for ez access, so in case of bad reaction, my husband can just hand them to EMT's

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.

Skin oils comdined with dry skin can affect the stickyness. You MUST wash the area but be sure to rinse both soap residue and dry well before applying. I also suggest buying a TEGADERM skin patch and slice it in half then attach both halves to each other end of your patch - this will eliminate falloff over the 2-3 days you wear it.

Depends entirely on the patient and his/her opiate tolerance level, but 125mcg every 48hrs isn't uncommon, nor is it a lot compared to other patients (myself included). 48mg Hydromorphone is hardly anything compared to the strength of Fentanyl; adding it in isn't really doing that much for breakthrough at that level of Fentanyl.

There is a small percentage of patients who do not get a full 72 hrs out of a patch; this is due to both tolerance issues, physiology, and patch placement/dosage release issues. Either way, in the end, it's the patient's tolerance level that really determines whether or not the amount is too much.

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.