Also known as: Abstral, Actiq, Duragesic, Duragesic-100, Duragesic-12, Duragesic-25, Duragesic-50, Duragesic-75, Fentanyl Transdermal System, Fentora, Ionsys, Lazanda, Onsolis, Sublimaze, Subsys
The following information is NOT intended to endorse drugs or recommend therapy. While these reviews might be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care.
Review by Sailing me (taken for 6 months to 1 year):
User Rating:
7.0
fentanyl for Chronic Pain: So much more effective and comfortable for me than morphine but it does not help with specific elements of my pain when I lie down so insomnia is a problem.
Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I had C-4,5,6,7 fusion that went awry when they accidentally hit my spinal cord. I was originally put on 75's but my feet would hurt so bad in the morning. I read that it was due to too much in my system so I had them lower my dose to 25mg. But I put a new one on every 48 hrs. (leave them in place for 72) so I am basically putting a patch on every other day. I wear them on my chest area so they don't get rubbed a lot and tend to stay in place.
Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I started at the 12.5mcg/hr but had to increase to 25mcg/hr. I was amazed at how well they worked, the pain was almost gone 80-90% of the time. I have found that already the pain is creeping back, I'm not sure if it's because I need a stronger patch or because they fall off so easily. I have even tried heating it with my blow dryer to get it hot enough to stick again, it worked only once. I'm going to have my Dr read your comments, he doesn't believe that they don't stick the full 3 days. I have to go the 3rd day without a patch so it coincides with my scripts. What do you do when you swim in the summer, take it off while in the pool? Thank all of you for your reviews, I appreciate them.
Sublimaze (fentanyl) for Pain: Fentanyl saved my life pre-back surgery. The sublingual fentanyl literally is the best pain reliever (severe pain relief only! Not for mild to moderate pain) more than Kadian, Norco, Oxy. I was in so much pain Fentanyl got me through it, back surgery was a success and life is moving on; almost pain free.
Duragesic (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and after trying different pain meds, I was finally put on Duragesic 25mcg every 72 hrs. The first day on a new patch is amazing. I could do nearly everything I used to. It even helped with the pain from bone deterioration due to a lifetime of taking high doses of Prednisone for my asthma. I will admit that the third day was the worst. About 5 years ago my doctor upped my dosage to 50mcg's every 48 hrs., which has made a huge difference. I still get Norco for breakthrough pain but I try not to take them unless the pain is really bad. I'm not the kind of person who likes to take any sort of medication but I know without it, my life would be awful.
Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I have moderate to severe pain from a reaction to a medication. I wear a 100 & a 25 Fentanyl patch. After trying several places I found the patches stay best on my derri
fentanyl for Chronic Pain: I find it helpful for the 48 hrs. I think maybe I need a higher dose or my body temp runs too high and I just need to change it every two days. This medication though like I have seen some say has helped so much and once we get the dose right I think will really make a difference in my life. I have not slept in over ten years like I have since starting the patch due to pain. No insurance, I just turned 27. I pretty much just dealt with it all up until almost 2 yrs ago now. Anyways I would recommend it for continued around the clock relief. It takes some time to figure it out for you but it's worth it if it works for you. Blessing to all. Hope everyone can find the help and relief you deserve.
11 users found this comment helpful.
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Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I've been on the 50 mcg fentanyl patches for approx. 10 years. I've found out using the Mylan brand covered with a Tuff strip extra large size Band Aid (cloth or waterproof type) stays in place for the 3 day period very well. The patch is the same size as the cotton square on the Band aids.
15 users found this comment helpful.
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Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: Spinal fusion pain is often severe while usually moderate. My doctor prescribed 100 mcgs for the usual 72 hrs., but after about 6 weeks of use I entered into painful, often agonizing withdrawal symptoms during the night and had to replace my lost, misplaced patch. Pain relief is satisfactory, but I find the Transdermal system's adhesion properties unreliable at best.
Tegaderm adhesive film is essential for extra security while holding the patch to the skin. Unfortunately, my Fentanyl patches are vulnerable to moisture and prematurely weaken, even with the added film.
16 users found this comment helpful.
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Duragesic-100 (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: "Duragesic" is an excellent chronic pain medication: no euphoric issues following the first couple weeks of use and initial body adjustment, etc., steady pain relief with minimal "Ups and Downs" in effectiveness (i.e., break through pain). However, myself, as with many users, find that it is necessary to change the patch every 48 hours, vs. the potential 72 hours (i.e., obviously this is with your doctor's approval). Also, putting the patch on takes a degree of practice and again, as with many, find it necessary to cover it with an approved "3M Tegaderm Cover" to prevent premature loss of adhesion.
14 users found this comment helpful.
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Review by GEAUX-GEAUX girl (taken for 1 to 6 months):
User Rating:
8.0
Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: Hands - down THE most effective pain relief I've ever had!! I've been wearing 25mcg for 2 months now. 1st month, I wore Actavis clear gel-filled. This month I'm wearing Apotex band-aid type patch. I'm not certain which I prefer. Gel-filled was great, but I was always paranoid with it buckling. On the down-side, my lips are raw due to my mouth being so dry. I also itch like crazy!! The fact that the pain relief is so phenomenal, I don't see me changing meds. I take no breakthrough meds except occasional Advil. Pills were a problem for me as I would always take too much. Another reason that the Fentanyl patch is a God send!
19 users found this comment helpful.
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Duragesic-50 (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: My doctor put me on the patches about 8 months ago. I was taking Norco 10/325, and Lyrica 50mg three times a day. I was still having pain at night, and when I had to walk for any distance at all. This medicine has changed my life, I can sleep all night without waking up from pain, I can walk through the mall now and not limp as bad. I still take 6 Norco a day, and my Lyrica 3Xday. But combined with the patch, I feel like I have a new lease on life. The only side effects I have had is a tendency to nod off if I sit down for long, and a decrease in my appetite which is good for helping me lose some weight.
13 users found this comment helpful.
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Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I had spinal fusion (L4-S2) and my doctor is stating I need to possibly have L2-L3 fused. My doctor had me on Norco and this did little and then while he was out of the office one day another doctor in his office saw me and put me on Fentanyl. At first it was great, I had the same problem everyone else had with patches only lasting 48 hours and it was impossible to find some place they would stay on. But later it was hard to regulate my body temperature, I would get burning hot and then cold and it wasn't because the patch was old or not on. This medication helps my pain more than anything else.
21 users found this comment helpful.
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Review by SUZANNEY01 (taken for 6 months to 1 year):
User Rating:
7.0
Duragesic (fentanyl) for Pain: I was "scared" at first to try Duragesic because I knew this was a very strong pain killer. But I was taking so many pills without much relief that something else had to be done. I still have some pain (back pain - 3 compression fxs., and a fractured kneecap). The patches have been a big help in managing all my bone pain. Glad I was "brave" enough to try them. My Dr. is great to prescribe them,
11 users found this comment helpful.
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Review by Anonymous (taken for less than 1 month):
User Rating:
1.0
fentanyl for Chronic Pain: I finally agreed to a long acting medicine to supplement my oxycodone. To make a long story short, on the 3rd day of wearing the 25mcg patch, I woke up with the most debilitating migraine I've ever experienced in my life. I called the doctor to notify him that I'd be discontinuing the medication. I didn't notice any significant change in my pain over the 3 days, and I'm too terrified of experiencing another migraine like that! (Jealous of all those that had great outcomes from using this medicine!)
10 users found this comment helpful.
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Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I have been on the patch now for 10 years, about started @ 100mcg x 72HRS and am @ 200mcg x 48HRS due to chronic pain from a 90 foot fall from a radio tower. I have been placed on every medicine literally for pain management and this medicine gave me a life back.
28 users found this comment helpful.
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Duragesic (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: It kept my pain at bay very well. I wore a 50 mcg gram patch every two days. Occasionally, I would have break through pain but it was tolerable. The only downside to this medication is that it makes you moody and irritable.
20 users found this comment helpful.
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Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I was on the Fentanyl Patches for approx. 3 months. The 1st month was good, though no patch ever lasted 3 days. My doc updated my script to changing them every 48 hrs. By the third month, no patch was lasting more than 30hrs, and I was going through withdrawals so bad on the 2nd day that I have been switched to methadone pills for pain. I also had trouble with the patches staying on during showers.
22 users found this comment helpful.
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fentanyl for Chronic Pain: I found that my patch was never staying on for the whole 72hrs and sometimes it would not last 20 minutes on my upper body. I now use the patch on my lower legs and the front and the patch sticks no problem. As for the effectiveness on the patch its hard to say as everyone is different, but for me it works. As soon as my 72 hrs are nearly up I do feel a lot more pain and its quite clear its new patch day. I have central hypersensitivity syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia and too many other problems too list.
Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I am a university-affiliated clinical pharmacist who oversees the healthcare of several elderly patients - some of whom suffer from severe chronic pain resulting from a variety of clinical conditions. In my experience, transdermal fentanyl patches only occassionaly provide satisfactory pain relief over the full 72 hr period - assuming the dose has been properly titrated. I have seen the best results by using multiple, lower-dose patches. For example, if a patient requires a 75 mcg patch, better results are obtained by using 3 x 25 mcg patches - with patch #2 added on day 2 and patch #3 added on day 3 (and with each patch being left in place for a full 72 hrs). This gives better control + fewer side effects.
42 users found this comment helpful.
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Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: I also have to change my patches, 100mcg, every 48 hours. It seems that the research of the patches lasting 72 hours may be faulty! I have been on the patches since 2003, starting at 100 mcg, and having to increase after a surgery to fuse cervical discs, and increased pain from Fibromyalgia, degenerative disc in lower back, cysts on kidneys & ovaries, and uterine fibroids. I never have problems with my patches falling off, even with the excessive sweating. I use Mylan brand.
25 users found this comment helpful.
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Review by Anonymous (taken for 6 months to 1 year):
User Rating:
2.0
fentanyl for Pain: I was put on Duragesic (fentanyl) for severe back and migraine pain. Oxycontin and Percocet didn't touch it. I am allergic to codeine and hydrocodone. At first the patches were a God send- The first 24 hours were hell (vomiting, dizziness, heart racing) but it got better when my body got used to medicine. UNFORTUNATELY about 6 months later I would lose track of hours of time. People said that I would "zone out" during conversations and just stare at the wall. Next came spasms. I would have horrible cramps in my legs. My toes would curl up, my legs would start to shake. I had to step down off the patch 25MGs at a time. Once out of my system the spasms stopped.
14 users found this comment helpful.
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Fentanyl Transdermal System (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: Great for chronic pain. Tough withdrawal. Patches can fall off without use of clear tape. You don't have to worry about taking a pill on time. Low to no breakthrough pain.
21 users found this comment helpful.
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Fentora (fentanyl) for Chronic Pain: This medication is the best for taking the severe pain out of my head. I was told I get cluster headaches and I'm glad to get this medication to help with the intense pain. My Insurance Co. will NOT help cover this so I have to pay all out of pocket. My last employers Insurance company paid most of it with me paying $40.00 out of pocket.
fentanyl for Chronic Pain: The patches were hard to keep in place and often I found the patches medicine side to be exposed when taking showers. The patches worked at helping to control the pain without the roller coaster ride of pills wearing off while away from your scripts.
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