Fentanyl Transdermal System

Generic name: Fentanyl Transdermal System [ FEN-ta-nil ]
Brand name: Ionsys
Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 16, 2023.

Warning

You must be the only person to use fentanyl transdermal system. Be sure no one else touches the system or the drug inside it. This medicine is only for use if you are in a hospital. If you are leaving the hospital, make sure that fentanyl transdermal system is removed before you leave. Talk with your doctor.
This medicine may cause very bad and sometimes deadly breathing problems. Call your doctor right away if you have slow, shallow, or trouble breathing.
The chance of very bad and sometimes deadly breathing problems may be greater when you first start fentanyl transdermal system or anytime your dose is raised.
Even one dose of fentanyl transdermal system may be deadly if it is taken by someone else or by accident, especially in children. If fentanyl transdermal system is taken by someone else or by accident, get medical help right away.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
This medicine is a strong pain drug that can put you at risk for addiction, abuse, and misuse. Misuse or abuse of fentanyl transdermal system can lead to overdose and death. Talk with your doctor.
You will be watched closely to make sure you do not misuse, abuse, or become addicted to fentanyl transdermal system.
This medicine has an opioid drug in it. Severe side effects have happened when opioid drugs were used with benzodiazepines or other drugs that may make you drowsy or slow your actions. This includes slow or troubled breathing and death. Benzodiazepines include drugs like alprazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam. Benzodiazepines may be used to treat many health problems like anxiety, trouble sleeping, or seizures. If you have questions, talk with your doctor.
Many drugs interact with fentanyl transdermal system and can raise the chance of side effects like deadly breathing problems. Talk with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure it is safe to use fentanyl transdermal system with all of your drugs.
Do not take with alcohol or products that have alcohol. Unsafe and sometimes deadly effects may happen.
Get medical help right away if you feel very sleepy, very dizzy, or if you pass out. Caregivers or others need to get medical help right away if the patient does not respond, does not answer or react like normal, or will not wake up.
Using fentanyl transdermal system for a long time during pregnancy may lead to withdrawal in the newborn baby. This can be life-threatening. Talk with the doctor.

Uses of Fentanyl Transdermal System:

It is used to ease pain.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Fentanyl Transdermal System?

If you are allergic to fentanyl transdermal system; any part of fentanyl transdermal system; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
If you have any of these health problems: Lung or breathing problems like asthma, trouble breathing, or sleep apnea; high levels of carbon dioxide in the blood; or stomach or bowel block or narrowing.
If you have any of these health problems: Kidney disease or liver disease.
If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
If you are taking any of these drugs: Buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, or pentazocine.
If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with fentanyl transdermal system.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take fentanyl transdermal system with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Fentanyl Transdermal System?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take fentanyl transdermal system. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how fentanyl transdermal system affects you.
To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
Long-term or regular use of opioid drugs like fentanyl transdermal system may lead to dependence. Lowering the dose or stopping fentanyl transdermal system all of a sudden may cause a greater risk of withdrawal or other severe problems. Talk to your doctor before you lower the dose or stop fentanyl transdermal system. You will need to follow your doctor’s instructions. Tell your doctor if you have more pain, mood changes, thoughts of suicide, or any other bad effects.
Do not take more than what your doctor told you to take. Taking more than you are told may raise your chance of very bad side effects.
Do not take fentanyl transdermal system with other strong pain drugs or if you are using a pain patch without talking to your doctor first.
If you drink grapefruit juice or eat grapefruit often, talk with your doctor.
This medicine may raise the chance of seizures in some people, including people who have had seizures in the past. Talk to your doctor to see if you have a greater chance of seizures while taking fentanyl transdermal system.
Long-term use of an opioid drug may lead to lower sex hormone levels. Call your doctor if you have a lowered interest in sex, fertility problems, no menstrual period (women), or change in sex ability (men).
The patch may have metal. Take off the patch before an MRI.
Take fentanyl transdermal system off of the skin as you have been told before having certain tests like CT scans, MRIs, and X-rays.
If you have a defibrillator or pacemaker, talk with your doctor.
If you are 65 or older, use fentanyl transdermal system with care. You could have more side effects.
This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking fentanyl transdermal system, call your doctor right away.

How is this medicine (Fentanyl Transdermal System) best taken?

Use fentanyl transdermal system as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

Your doctor or other healthcare provider will put on the skin.
If you are not sure how to use fentanyl transdermal system, talk with your doctor.
Do not take fentanyl transdermal system off or move it from where it has been placed.
Misuse or abuse of fentanyl transdermal system by placing it in the mouth or chewing, swallowing, injecting, or snorting it can lead to overdose and death.
If you or anyone else touches the gel, wash the skin with lots of water. Do not use soap.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

Call your doctor to find out what to do.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Feeling confused.
Severe constipation or stomach pain. These may be signs of a severe bowel problem.
Noisy breathing.
Chest pain.
Fast or slow heartbeat.
Seizures.
Low mood (depression).
Trouble controlling body movements.
Swelling in the arms or legs.
A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen if you take fentanyl transdermal system with certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or severe headache.
Taking an opioid drug like fentanyl transdermal system may lead to a rare but very bad adrenal gland problem. Call your doctor right away if you have very bad dizziness or passing out, very bad upset stomach or throwing up, or if you feel less hungry, very tired, or very weak.

What are some other side effects of Fentanyl Transdermal System?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
Dry mouth.
Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or feeling less hungry.
Headache.
Feeling cold.
Trouble sleeping.
Sweating a lot.
Irritation where fentanyl transdermal system is used.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Fentanyl Transdermal System?

If you need to store fentanyl transdermal system at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
Follow the information that comes with fentanyl transdermal system for throwing out doses that are not needed. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about how to throw out fentanyl transdermal system.
This medicine comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time fentanyl transdermal system is refilled. If you have any questions about fentanyl transdermal system, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.