can my fentanyl patch be reapplied after 18 hrs? What is the best way
to keep the patch from drying out while off?
How can I save my patch after I take it off,and want to reuse it later?
Question posted by red ryder on 23 June 2012
Last updated on 9 May 2018
3 Answers
DzooBaby
25 June 2012
Red Ryder, this medication is not meant to be used this way. It is not designed to be an "as needed" medication. It is meant to be used as an around the clock pain reliever. If you are feeling too heavy an effect and feel like you need to take the medication off then you should talk to your Dr about changing the strength. There should be no reason to want to remove this patch for later use. It will not work correctly that way.
landypain
18 Feb 2013
Red Ryder never mentioned what her reasoning was. My doctor and also my pharmacist suggested to take the patch off when I do my exercises in the pool and then put it back on when I dry off. I use the matrix patches and I would hate for it to fall off and float around in a pool at my gym where other ppl swim. .
tuckers the name
24 April 2013
There are many reasons you may need to remove your patch. Probably the most common reason is, it can cause nausea, trouble breathing and other unwanted effects, especially in the beginning. DEFINITELY remove it if your short of breath. This medication can work very well for around the clock pain, but the way its distributed is not exact. If you become hot your pores expand and this can cause more medication to release. Showering can destroy the adhesive, or it may fall off if you sweat where you've selected to place the patch. If you need to remove the patch or it falls off keep track of the hours you wear it and the time you don't, for example 10hrs on 2hrs off. Also place it in something air tight and aim for a cool, dry place away from animals and children. Eventually, you most likely will become tolerant of side effects and will ascertain a routine for bathing, swimming, or sweating.
Good luck.
ENDMILLS1
11 May 2014
I have found that to reuse them after removal is to apply it and cover it immediately with a Tagaderm patch which keeps it in place. I use the gel style mfg by PAR PHarmecuticals and they supply me the patches when I ask for them at no charge. Supposedly these are the same as the Durogesic, but I'm not sure.
ates73
24 Oct 2014
Instead of stating the obvious directions for use, I wish one person had simply answered the question. There are many reasons the patch might have come off without ulterior motive or nefarious purpose. In fact, if there was ulterior motive or it was done on purpose, the question of how to get it back on wouldn't have been asked. It would have been moot.
When it won't attach or stay on, one suggestion is to just use tape - but that doesn't solve the problem of allowing the medicine absorb into the blood system. Recently a more qualified Dr. said that using flonase on the area and letting it dry will allow it to attach. It works initially, but i don't know if it will help to reattach if it comes off again or allow the medicine to be absorbed as intended. There is another brand that has adhesive specifically for folks with reactions to the adhesive but then that doesn't always stay on.
I would guess that the use of flonase steroid just helps the allergic reaction to the adhesive so it won't fall off. I don't know if the use of the steroid on the skin would interfere with absorbtion of the medicine in any way but it does seem to help initial attachment. It is trial and error until a qualified person will admit that the patch isn't perfect and provide an option to allow for continued use when it comes off... but that would mean one less patch purchased when it happens.
sponce1129
23 Aug 2015
If you have issues with the psych falling off, use Tegaderm film window style dressings made by 3m. I buy mine off Amazon or ebay for the best price. For the patch to be effective, it must maintain strong adhesion to the skin. Once removed, it can not be reapplied regardless of whether it is a gel reservoir patch or a matrix adhesive patch (matrix patches have the medicine in the adhesive) because you will never get it to stick well again after removal. If you're asking about the reapplication because they're falling off, get the tegaderm or bioclusive dressings. If you are taking them off because you are experiencing side effects, remove the patch and call your Dr immediately.
sponce1129
23 Aug 2015
Patch not psych. Sorry, word prediction.
Debmrshll
30 July 2016
Use a Tagaderm cover on them and you won't have to worry about it anymore. Problem solved
irishkate
29 Aug 2016
After months of the Actavis fentynal patch falling off every time (at about 12 hours) I used it (every 72 hrs) I finally accidentally came up with the tegaderm idea, too. I tried to use the small ones, the 2 x 2 3/4 and they were too small, there wasn't enough patch to go around the fentynal patch and they still fell off. So I tried the next larger size, the 4 x 4 something. Works like a charm. Haven't had one fall off in months.
HeadStarter
24 June 2012
Hi again, red ryder -
I am not sure why you are taking these off because once you do lose the skin contact... hypothetically the next time you put it back on... it isn't like it is going to work instantaneously, you know. Can you share why you would want to take them off??? They are meant to give constant and regular dosing once they begin to leach into the skin. Maybe that isn't the best way to describe it but I am trying to give you a vivid picture so you understand the importance of keeping it on. They are meant to be changed every 3 days. More than likely you also have breakthrough pain and are given something also for that??? Because the patches don't begin working right away... it takes times. So another pain killer is usually given for break through pain management. It can take many hours for the process to begin to leach into the skin and once it does... the dosing is continual until it is gone... like 3 days later.
Taking the patch off just about ruins the adhesion on it and it will be too difficult to reattach but that much time later... you have already lost like one day's worth of dosing by the time it begin to work again... let's just say for the sake of argument that you can get the thing to adhere as good as it was when you first placed it on. This would be a good question for your pharmacist and doctor. I don't think your doctor is going to like this and it sounds like you are trying to stretch it out but it kind of doesn't work like that.
Forgive me if I misunderstood... and if I did... please give more detail so that I can clarify my answer.
Mary
Lisa01
24 June 2012
To add to Mary's answer, if the fentanyl patches are anything like the butrans patches, there is a small amount of medicine contained in the adhesive edges. (Check your accompanying literature.) If this is the case, you've already lost whatever medicine was there by allowing the adhesive to be exposed r to the air and dry out.
Lisa
HeadStarter
24 June 2012
Thank you for adding the additional clarification... I don't know whether they work the same or not but it makes logical sense what you are saying. I have NEVER been able to get one back off after it came off. I actually had that happen tonight and for the first time. I was undressing and the patch just came off with my sports bra. I have never, ever had one just come off. Actually, I have had so much adhesive on my skin that they become irritating.
Mary
HeadStarter
24 June 2012
Oh gosh I think I should go to bed. I meant to say, "I have never been able to get one back on after it has come off. They have lost their adhesion". They must adhere perfectly to the skin to be of use.
Mary
Lisa01
24 June 2012
Irritating as the devil when that happens, isn't it? Wastes a whole week of my patch, which is of course a narcotic so can't be refilled early even if that happens. At least your patches are supposed to be changed every 3 days. I started to just go ahead and tape them on every time, but that much adhesive started irritating my skin so I had to quit. Oh well, at least I've got something and that's more than a lot of people! Better quit my fussing before karma comes to bite me on the behind! Go to bed my friend, you've put in a full day and listened to me on top of it... you deserve your rest!! :)
Lisa
HeadStarter
24 June 2012
Oh Lisa, you are so very sweet, gentle and kind-hearted! I think we BOTH need some rest but best go to bed before me before people start to talk! hahahahahaha... oh silly me!
Mary
Lisa01
24 June 2012
Oooo, nobody has talked about me in years - might be fun! :) Thanks for your nice words and have a great night girlfriend!
Lisa
HeadStarter
24 June 2012
Okay, Lisa... I am going to bed now and hope you have first!
NiteAll...
Mary
tuckers the name
24 April 2013
There are many reasons you may need to remove your patch. Probably the most common reason is it can cause nausea, trouble breathing and other unwanted effects, especially in the beginning. DEFINITELY remove it if your short of breath. This medication can work very well for around the clock pain, but the way its distributed is not exact. Nothing I've read ever indicated that if it was removed it would "stop working." It does not detect skin, it's the temperature your body produces that releases medication, from there is works much like a oral slow-release pill. If you become extremely hot your pores expand and this can cause more medication to release. Showering can destroy the adhesive, or it may fall off if you sweat where you've selected to place the patch. If you need to remove the patch or it falls off keep track of the hours you wear it and the time you don't, for example 10hrs on 2hrs off.
Also place it in something air tight and aim for a cool, dry place away from animals and children. Eventually, you most likely will become tolerant of side effects and will ascertain a routine for bathing, swimming, or sweating.
Good luck.
coolinwithfire
24 Jan 2016
Thanks again Mary Jane!,or Doc know it all.
Red Ryder,, yes is the answer that the Demi God, "Mary Jane" so hastily beat around the stupid bush to give you.
You can take the patch off, put the patch back in the foil packet that it came in, put the packet In a zip lock baggy (air tight) put it somewhere cool, fridge is OK, but nothing below 42 degrees, because if it freezes, the medicine that is mainly located in the center of the patch, will seep out to fast when applied to you body heat.
Write back Red, and let me know how you're doing
coolinwithfire
24 Jan 2016
Thanks again Mary Jane!,or Doc know it all.
Red Ryder,, yes is the answer that the Demi God, "Mary Jane" so hastily beat around the stupid bush to give you.
You can take the patch off, put the patch back in the foil packet that it came in, put the packet In a zip lock baggy (air tight) put it somewhere cool, fridge is OK, but nothing below 42 degrees, because if it freezes, the medicine that is mainly located in the center of the patch, will seep out to fast when applied to you body heat.
Write back Red, and let me know how you're doing
lee cranney
28 March 2016
when my doctor first put me on the patch for CHRONIC back neck and shoulder pain I was constantly having them come off. I looked for different adhesive methods and came upon a lifesaver. Tegaderm film. terrific product how i use it (they come in various sizes/rolls/presized) but they are really great. Good luck.
kevindwalters
6 Sep 2016
Well that was quite the "long winded" response and shaming as well.
I have used fentanyl for 10 years.
My patches have fallen off (prematurely)
due to wetness from showers/bath and from sweating.
This quite inconvenient because it takes a bit of effort to get a replacement.
To answer the question...
Yes, you can reapply the patch after it has fallen or come off.
At most drug stores you will find patches to protect incision from moisture.
These patches are quite a bit larger than the Fentanyl patch but do a good job of holding the patch securely to the skin.
However, it will not work as well.
(better than nothing)
In the summer, I use them on a fresh patch to avoid losing them to sweat.
Good luck.
kevindwalters
6 Sep 2016
Well that was quite the "long winded" response and shaming as well.
I have used fentanyl for 10 years.
My patches have fallen off (prematurely)
due to wetness from showers/bath and from sweating.
This quite inconvenient because it takes a bit of effort to get a replacement.
To answer the question...
Yes, you can reapply the patch after it has fallen or come off.
At most drug stores you will find patches to protect incision from moisture.
These patches are quite a bit larger than the Fentanyl patch but do a good job of holding the patch securely to the skin.
However, it will not work as well.
(better than nothing)
In the summer, I use them on a fresh patch to avoid losing them to sweat.
Good luck.
balbanese
23 June 2012
They are not designed for that. Many folks have trouble getting them to stick the first time, let alone after taking it off. I do not think this is a good idea, but that's just me. Hope this helps.
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- Fentanyl prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Fentanyl (detailed)
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