User Reviews for fentanyl transdermal

I was prescribed Fentanyl when it and several other opioid drugs were being pushed by "Drs."and mine in Indiana almost killed me three times. I was on a Fentanyl 100, 10.5 Lortabs, 40 mg Oxycodone and Seroquel,forgot mg',s. I took myself off of the patch and to this day I will sweat,in the cold air. I can't sleep during these times. I was poked in my spine during a test prior to surgery and got INSTANT sciatica. I'm not on all the crap now. Cannabis,10.25 Norco 3 times a day and I feel every time I can't control my body temp.Fentanyl for 12 years is where I feel my problem lies.Read More Read Less

The patch provides the best paln relief for my condition. However not all brands work the same. The best patch that I have used is no longer available. The one l am using know is the stiff plastic and does not stick to my skin sometimes coming loose after only 24 hours and will not reattach.

It just seems to me that Fentanyl Patches are not all created equal. Some seem to work better than others. Some seem to give good pain relief while others don’t seem to help at all! They are so expensive and therefore should be trusted to give optimal pain relief all the time, not just sometimes. Most of the time they work pretty well but not always. I hope I’m getting good quality patches. I really need the pain relief and depend on them to deliver. Thank you!

I've been using fentanyl patches since the late 90s consistently till today. Tried different brands of same doses. But mylan 75 mcg fentany pain patches are "half-the size" of other brands with the same dose. This is an insult on various levels, or internal mistake that needs to be addressed!!! Mylan 75 mcg fentanyl patches are not the same as other brands that are twice the size. I'm still in too much pain for laughter. Trust Me, I'm Painfully Outraged.

Have kyphoscoliosis 40 degree, also degenerative discs, and osteoporosis, so chronic pain been on opiates 25+ years! Had fusions done, had a pump delivering Morphine direct into spinal canal. Been on Fentanyl Duragesic about a year and taking oramorph. Patches don't last 3 days, don't deliver an equal dose, do come off after sweating attacks, do cause memory problems! Help with the pain 1st day only!! Don't use them stay on alternatives if possible, I am reverting to slow release Morphine. Can't lay down, can't walk, low quality life. Fentanyl is a very dangerous drug!!Read More Read Less

I am a super rapid metabolized and most opiates are used so rapidly that no matter the drug or dose gives me little benefit. 200 mcg fentanyl via patch has given me living to my life. Without it I am totally bed/bound and miserable, with it I can volunteer, attend college, go to church and live a full life. Over 20 years the only time I have issues is when a doctor switches to a new medication. Or reduces the dose.

I would just like to warn people who are using transdermal fentanyl patches. If you are given the Apotex Brand patches do NOT accept them. They are the worst patches out there. I was unfortunately I tried them and it they did not work at all. There is very little or no fentanyl in them.

This review is specific to APOTEK's 100 mcg patch. I had to change from Brand name (Pt assist program) back to generics. No prob used them in the past without difficulties. LOVE Matrix patches!! But I was given APOTEX brand, no issue at first, they stuck better than any others. But was having increased pain at 36hrs in and withdrawal symptoms and inc pain on 3rd day. This had NEVER happened before with any generic or brand. Had my routine random drug screen done on day 3 of patch by and blood showed NO FENTANYL in my system!! Repeated test 24hrs into patch, good levels! Samething with rest of box and next box (all same lot). Prev to this I LOVE the patches, easy to use, great pain managment! SO beware of possible issues with APOTEX 100mcg Fentanyl PatchesRead More Read Less

I've been using the fentanyl patches since the 1990s for chronic pain from bone mets. I'm also a medical professional so am educated and have a lot of experience and knowledge in this area. I also use oral fentanyl as well when I am really in a lot of pain. The original version of the patches from Janssen, Mallinckrodt, Saunders and a couple others left many patients with problems due to the patches falling off, skin rashes or infections and subsequent non delivery of medication transdermal. The next generation of patches from Mylan, Apotex, Alvogen and several others use a matrix system which does not use the alcohol gel system used originally. This made for smaller, thinner, more flexible patches with greater increased ahesiveness. One trick to ensure that your patches adhere well is to wash and dry the area well with antibacterial soap and then swab with acetone to remove any trace of old adhesive, lotion, oil, etc. Also, the patches adhere best to your lower abdomen (around your belly button) and make sure there is no hair. I have heard from a great many MDs and patients alike that they need to change their patches every 48-hours rather than 72-hours. I have noticed that this works best for me as well. I have never had ANY side effects or complications from this medication. It has allowed me to have a semblance of my life back. I would not change my medication for any reason. I would recommend evaluation by a board certified pain management specialist to determine a best course of treatment for each individual patient. Read More Read Less

This medication has worked for me BUT NOT EVERY 72HOURS I do suffer from end of dose failure and have to use every 48 hours.

It has taken a very long time to be able to receive a fentanyl prescription for my intractable pain. I am relatively young to have the health issues I have and i think that often causes a delay in getting productive treatment. I am now able to once again do things like do my own grocery shopping and to cook for my family. I am able to help my youngest daughter in the shower to wash her hair and make sure she bathes properly. Heck, I am able to get I'm and out of the shower and wash my own hair.Read More Read Less

Matrix is found outside the patch on the plastic sheet. Wonder it they are over loaded or poorly manufactured.

As a chronic pain patient this is an excellent medication I have been taking it for over ten years. Having a steady amount of pain medication is key for a pain patient. This drug has saved & given me a livable quality of life. I was in so much pain I could only live my life ten minutes at a time there was nothing but pain in every joint in my body. I could barely walk. today I am going to college. This is a serious drug something to take serious, DO NOT change your pain medication on your own trust me when I say this is bigger than you taken improperly can kill you. Increase your fluid intake (water) be aware this medication can cause constipation. If you have not had a bowel movement in two days contact your doctor. It is very important all your treating doctors know you are taking this medication. If possible, have only 1 doctor manage your pain meds. I will only accept a prescription from my rheumatologist if anyone wants to change my dosage they have to get his permission. Most important only tell people that need to know you are taking this medication, I keep my patches locked in a personal safe you can get one from Walmart.   Excellent medication for around the clock pain relief. The patient will not have periods of pain due to low levels of medication their system I have never felt high or euphoria while taking medication. Read the side effects how to apply patches and how to disposel Read More Read Less

I have been on fentanyl for years. I have curvature of the spine, due to an untreated follow up of physio, when I broke my shoulder as a teenager. Fentanyl makes things manageable. It doesn't remove the pain completely, but enough that I can get out of bed 50% of the time unaided. Without the patch, the pain is so debilitating and horrific.

After an accident 14 years ago and spinal fusion surgery I developed chronic back pain. My PCP then pain specialist prescribed Lortab and 75mg Fentanyl patches - fentanyl is best for 24 hr. pain relief. I stepped down to 50mg fentanyl for breathing issues. At age 56 I began having episodes of extreme dizziness that felt like I was going to collapse and after three months I asked my pain specialist to decrease the fentanyl to 25mg - the collapsing sensation ceased immediately. 30 days after reducing the fentanyl to 25mg I saw my PCP and mentioned the dizziness and he stated as our bodies age we cannot synthesize fentanyl as quickly and risk of overdose increases. I did not feel 25mg fentanyl would relieve my pain as well as 50mg but I'm getting the same level of pain relief. Now, the thing I question is why pain specialists do not including aging in pain management treatment that is extremely important to the level of fentanyl dosage prescribed to patients because if I had not requested to decrease my dose level of fentanyl I may have overdosed.Read More Read Less

I have a pinched nerve in my cervical spine. RF treatments (rhizotomy) no longer worked after 12 years of them. My doctor put me on low dosage (10mg) oxycontin. It worked but I had to remember to take the pills and there were waves of pain as the pill wore off. Then my doctor switched me to the 25mgh fentanyl patch and it works extremely well. No weird side effects, the relief is smooth, and I can get up to 6 days on a patch, so my 3 months supply will last longer and I'm in no danger of running out. A TIP TO PATCH USERS: the adhesive on these patches is weak, and if you get wet or sweated up, expect it to fall off. The solution: get a box of Tegaderm covers from NexCare. Walgreens has these - a box of 8 is around $10. It covers and holds the patch in position and you can shower, swim, or sweat till you drop and the patch stays on. I don't know how these patches could be used effectively without the Tegaderms. Highly recommended. Read More Read Less

My wife and I moved to SW MO from St. Louis, MO last year and we hit a brick wall getting prescriptions for her fentanyl and my methadone. She has fibromyalgia and before she was prescribed fentanyl she was mainly bedfast and to her regret, missed out to much of our children's special times with lasting hurt feelings. She started Fentanyl in 2010 and it allowed her to lose over 40 lbs. from hiking in a local state park to a much more normal and active lifestyle. To blackball one group of drugs because of improper use by a small percentage of people and illegal drug use is ludicrous. More people have probably died from improper alcohol usage this year than those who have ever died of improper fentanyl usage. This is a matter of smoke and mirrors to vilify one group of drugs to satisfy the conservative right and their narrow point of view. Please, let's use reason in approaching drug interdiction and not make people who respect the law feel like criminals who are using the medication as prescribed. We both were weaned off these heinous destructive drugs just to be put on other "better" opioids without the virulent monikers of FENTANYL and METHADONE! Pain clinics can have a very valuable function in our society and have helped many desperate people...but to paint everyone who uses their services with the broad taint of impropriety is wrong. It appears that truth is in transition these days but that doesn't mean my wife and I endorse this sordid practice. Politics has no place here.Read More Read Less

My wife was a user of the Fentanyl patch for over ten years. It may have been effective in easing her pain but it also was the leading cause of her death. PLEASE, PLEASE, for your family, and yourself, check out the side effects of using this drug. If you experience ANY of the effects of this drug like, dizziness, fainting, nausea or hallucinations, let someone know right away, it may save your life. This drug can be deadly, it took my wife from her family and changed our lives for ever.

After years of taking Norco ( 12 ) I wanted to try the patch for a more even relief.....25 mcg worked... This is from 2 auto collisions ....not my fault

I've been wearing the Fentanyl patch since it first came out, when all that was offered was Duragesic and there was no generic. I suffer horribly from early onset of arthritis and fibromyalgia. Before using the patch I had to literally crawl out of bed in the morning. The patch was a life saver for me. I was then able to take better care of myself and my daughter and do routine daily activities like housework without living in misery. I was started out on 25 mcg back then and I'm now on 100 mcg and using percocet for breakthrough pain. I thank God everyday for this groundbreaking drug as it has improved my quality of life. Read More Read Less