Fentanyl Transdermal System for Chronic Pain User Reviews

• Tamra
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 4, 2020

"Fentynal patch gave me my life back. My pain level went from a constant 8-10 to a 3-4 . I went from being bedridden to being able to clean my home and cook for myself. Then 2018 came and the dr. Stopped prescribing patches due to new CDC regulations. Now I am bedridden again 75% of the time. And pain at a constant 9-10."

• Moonpie
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 16, 2020

"I have a lot of experience with fentanyl patches they have always worked now I've been switched to a different brand due to lack of insurance I had to drop the price never before has a brand not worked. Now this particular brand not only does it not work it doesn't do anything at all with all the equivalent testing how is this possible. Although I would never accuse someone of this especially a drug company it's almost like there is no fentanyl on the patch at all. What's even crazier is that the particular patch that doesn't work claims to have bio equivalence testing and that they're just as good as the brand name and I have personally used one or two generic companies that are they the best I have I ever used. This is a drug that gives people quality of life and without it they may as well give up. Fentanyl Transdermal System drug used properly is one of the best that has ever been made and now they are making generic so cheap that I'm not even sure that the drug is actually on the patch that is very scary"

• xxGyp...
• August 10, 2019

"I was a 36yo L&D/Peds Nurse, Vol. FF/Paramedic. Then I began suffering from horrific, excruciating, horrendous, insidious, debilitating pain. I ended up bedridden, unable to walk, forced to crawl on the floor between the bed & bathroom. It got so bad that I couldn't live even another 10 minutes with no relief in sight; I attempted to put myself out of my misery. I was out of my mind from the blinding pain. My PCP referred me to my Pain Mgt. Dr who placed on Fentanyl patches; they saved my life, & gave me my quality of life back again. I'll never be pain-free, never work as a Nurse again, or live the life that I once had, but I can go out to dinner with my Husband, & go to lunch/shopping w/my Mom &/or Daughter. Fentanyl Patches gave me my life back again. Mylan is THE ONLY brand that works. Apotex by Avena is absolutely 100% a worthless waste of time & money. Never accept Apotex Avena patches! Trust me."

• Marine
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2019

"I had a fall in Marine Corps Training in 1970. I was the only Person in my Platoon who had not fallen from a opstical called the slide for life I was told to fall and salute my Series Commander on the way down I fell 43 feet in water and mud flat on my Back. I have been in Pain has my Back got worse 6 operations later and waiting to get the 7th one I am In tremendous PAIN I used fentanyl 3 years with great results. The recent war against people who abuse drugs has got up in it people who do not abuse and are really in Pain."

• Drea
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 7, 2021

"Have been on for over 22 years I was first prescribed patches from Neurologist MD then my family Doc, now because of the media hype, drug abusers, and FDA guidelines I go to a pain clinic where I have an amazing Doc. He has me pre-approved for a higher dose I've had to go from 175mg/hr to 112mg/hr and norco for breakthrough pain but now because it takes 2 patches to get to that dose the guidelines only want me to be on 1 patch so they want me to go down to just the 100mg/hr...ANYONE HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS?? My kidneys can't take more pills/meds. I have 4 different and very rare diseases that cause very extreme pain of which there is no cure. If we all got together and wrote a letter with as many other people who have the same problems maybe we could make a difference. I can't function without pain management. Mallinckrodt and Mylan are the best brands available."

• CJano
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 3, 2018

"I am on 150mcg Fentanyl transdermal patch and have been for ten years. It adequately treats my degenerative disc disease when many other meds, including morphine, did not. I was treated at a Hospital in Boston, at their Pain Clinic and was lucky. I am lucky but it is not easy street, there are the side effects of constipation, and memory loss, etc. But I don't have many choices, at least the patches take care of my pain for about 90 percent of the time. Different medications affect us all differently. Luckily for me my MDs were able to treat me. We must learn that we don't have to beat ourselves or allow others to beat us up for our illnesses. We wouldn't deny cancer patients their pain meds but we have different views for people and patients with other chronic pain illnesses. A UK study, around 2008, claimed that more than ¾ of pain patients were not being adequately treated for pain."

• Jane
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 20, 2018

"I have liver disease from years of Tylenol by hands full. I had to function so I could work. I have severe migraines and later in life developed bad back but I refuse to have surgery. My sister had surgery, enough said. I was on the patches for a couple of years with Norco for break through pain. I was doing so well I could walk and even go places where I had to walk. With all the bad press and gov. regulations my doctor stopped prescribing it to any patient. With the patches there was more of an even keel managing the pain with my back. I have now gone back to the condition I was in 3 years ago. The druggie creeps are causing me to suffer and I'm angry. I don't want to spend what years I have left sitting in a recliner. I just want to function."

• Pharm...
• September 1, 2012

"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."

• DougSC
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 8, 2013

"After years of all the other opioid pain pills I was put on Fentanyl 25mcg. Initial problems getting patch to stick, I contacted the manufacturer and they were very helpful. They have supplied Askina film dressings to cover the patch and they never fall off anymore. TegaDerm patches work very well also. I was also increased to one patch every 48 hours since it seems to wear off long before 72 hours. I do leave them on for 72 hours, but alternate locations every 48 hours. What a difference. Very little pain if any and I'm no longer loopy or half asleep all the time. Fentanyl has been a blessing for my lower back and leg pain. By the way I suffer from lumbar spinal stenosis. Hope this is helpful to others."

• JohnR
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 15, 2019

"The Apotex brand of patch is by far the most ineffective I’ve ever used. As if no medication is being delivered? When I use other brands (see below) the experience is very different. If your pharmacy has options, I would recommend AVOIDING Apotex. In my experience this is how I rate fentanyl patches from the best to worst: Sandoz 3M Mylan Apotex Good luck."

• hmmf
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 17, 2018

"I was on 75 mcg patches for 12 years after a horrible accident that smashed my knees and back. I made the mistake of working in very hot weather and a patch sweated off twice in my monthly prescription cycle. The doctors refused to replace the patches and I got horrific withdrawals. After reaching out for help I was put on suboxone to wean me off the patches, labelled a drug addict and have been made to jump through hoops to get any form of decent analgesia. If this happens to you don't ask for help wait for the withdrawals to pass or you'll go through 10 months of hell with pain like I've had to."

• BOOMGUY
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 18, 2019

"I survived Nerve Sheath Cancer; a cancer with a very low survival rate, and pain that's off the charts. I needed the Fentanyl patch to work since now laws have been pushed into effect that cut doses to unsustainably low milligrams."

• Rebbee
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 25, 2015

"My husband has been on the 25mcg Fentanyl patch for almost 5 yrs and it has been a life saver for him. The main problem for him is the constipation, which if he drinks his Smooth Move senna tea daily, it relieves the constipation. Also, for people who say the patch comes off, first use skin prep wipes by Smith & Nephew, apply patch and then apply a Tegaderm Film cover over the patch. If you use products like this your patch won't come off and it's waterproof too. Even when you get the 'sweats' the patch will stay on. Most of these products you can get at medical supply stores or ebay."

• Mae
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 16, 2020

"Was on fentynal duragesic for a number of years when the brand I was using became unavailable tried 3 other brands over the next few months . I had an allergic reaction to the adhesive in 2 of them. Mallinckrodt was the brand that worked for me. No allergic reaction to it. My Dr. Has had me trying other forms of pain control in the past year with unfavorable results from severe allergic reactions to not effective. I just called my pharmacy to have them order mallinckrodt atlas the Dr. had sent in a prescription for me to start fentanyl. If mallinckrodt is not available not sure what I can do.thanks"

• Sfisher
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 27, 2013

"I have been using the 50mcg patches for about 2 years. They are a lifesaver and I found an almost fool proof way to get them to stick. I find that my thigh works best and I keep them shaved in the application area (I'm a guy so I don't shave my legs) but before applying a new patch I use a single use alcohol pad (for cleaning before an injection) and then once dry, apply the patch and hold for a good 30 seconds. They always stick and in fact on the 3rd day they actually hurt a bit coming off like a bandaid. I think the oil on your skin is what keeps them from sticking well. I also apply my new patch and leave the old one on for an extra 8-12 hours, which keeps the withdrawal symptoms to a minimum."

• Finns...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 20, 2014

"I have had 5 back surgeries in four years with the last one being a double fusion at L-4 to S-1. This last surgery failed again, and they are now considering another one to fuse my lumber spine all together. I have been on Fentanyl patch along with Percocet for three plus years. I take 150 mcg every 48 hours along with ten Percocet a day and still in pain. I just wish I could find something that relieves the pain to at least allow me somewhat of a better life. Right now I am basically house bound and depressed and sometimes very angry."

• Joeseph...
• March 5, 2014

"Been using the fentanyl patch for about 6 yrs. now using 2 100mcg patches every 48 hrs. Using 72 hrs, the pain would come back with withdrawal symptoms. The major problem was getting it to stay on, but covering it with a TegaDerm took care of most of that issue. It works for pain better than oral medicines and you don't have to go through the trouble of swallowing pills all the time, just apply and forget it for a couple of days. I would recommend this as a good alternative to pills."

• Noonny
• February 4, 2019

"I have mfp( chronic peritonitis) I have severe abdominal issues I have had 9 surgeries 1978 to 1998 . In 1997 I had gastroparesis I was put on hyperalimentation for 8 years I was put on fentanyl then for pain. I have been on 75mcg for 20 years I have continued to work and function 2 years ago I had to have surgery I asked for them to decrease my fentanyl to 50mcg I also take oxycodone. Recently I was told that the FDA has guidelines that you can only have 90 equivalents in your system my was well over that now they have decreased to 37.5 and they started that still to high they have decreased my oxycodone from 10 to now 5mg three times a day and they have tried cannibus so now I have been pushed back to 40 years ago. I also have pancreatitis crohns and ulcerative colitis on top of all that plus a few more illnesses that cause pain. I am also facing to go back on hyperal because of all this fentanyl worked well and I had 12 years of somewhat good health from 1999 to 2011."

• GEAUX...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 25, 2012

"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!"

• STEVE...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 14, 2014

"I have three damaged disc's in my lower back. Doctors wanted to remove. I refused and started out on 120 Lortabs per month. That was increased by the additional 120 tabs of 15 mg oxycodone per month. My life was consumed by pain so bad I could could hardly get out of bed or walk. 6 months later I was prescribed an additional 60 30 mg of Morphine. Needless to say I am no longer in any pain, I was nodding out everywhere. I took morphine for a year. Detox wasn't fun and it's worst if you are a weak junkie. I took oxycodone for another year. My doctor suggest Fentanyl. It changed my life."

• Anonymous
• May 23, 2014

"I have severe low back pain, spinal stenosis, and a bulging disc. I was on my feet a lot because of my job which caused my pain to become worse. I was taking Norco alone which I couldn't take while working, plus the pills would not last long. Many times I was in tears. Finally my doctor put me on Fentanyl 25, then increased to 37, then finally increasing to 50. It was a God send because the pain decreased tremendously. I have the sweats and chills at times but that's a small price to pay for the relief I have received. At first I had severe itching, but my doctor have me to use Cortizone. I put it on and put the patch on about 30 minutes later, and no more itching. I am now retired and my patch was decreased to 25."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2012

"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."

• new...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 31, 2013

"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."

• caliG...
• March 10, 2014

"I have been using fentanyl on and off for about 4 years. I had spinal fusion done on L2-L5 also out of the 8 screws in my back the doctors left one of the screws with the sharp point on it so it jabs into my back muscle. I have tried every pain medicine on the market and have to say fentanyl works the best. I no longer wake up from pain. It is in my opinion the best pain medication available on the market. I used to have to get it off the streets because no doctor believed I was in pain (I am in my 30's) now I finally found a doctor who prescribes it to me, God bless him for it. I'm using 50mcg every 48 hrs. I still get a little pain after any activity that stresses my back so might ask to try 75mcg but I am glad I have these patches."

• Inven...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 8, 2020

"Sharky who wrote about Mallinckrodt switched to aposto manufacturing. I could have written that exactly as u described..what I did & what I fear. Had to get another rx from Dr, but got Mallinckrodt. 1 week & already improved pain level.fyi: I have tried a number Of brands including mylan. The only 1 effective for me is Mallinckrodt. A post has the same packaging graphics & colors as Mallinckrodt. I didn't notice the change but my body knew. Med person : "It's the same stuff" no it isn't! My fear : Mallinckrodt is being sued & rumors on the street facing bankruptcy. Without that brand I'm disable d. If they are out I'm out. What do I do? Trying to be proactive. Thnx. Inventing joy"