Butrans for Chronic Pain User Reviews (Page 2)

• med...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 28, 2023

"Gave to an elderly patient, and it was horrible! She's been on it for over a month and is a completely different person, it's ruined her life. She no longer makes any sense and talks constantly to the point where her voice is raw. She is combative at times, which she never was before. It has done nothing at all for her pain. I wish to God they had never prescribed this pain patch. They wanted Fentanyl, but the pharmacy refused. Do not let your elderly loved ones take this medication! It is not safe. I don't care what the company claims."

• Eri...
• June 1, 2013

"I've had 2 surgeries, nerve stimulant, injections, nerve burns, Physical Therapy, chiro, acupuncture, and every medicine made. With 4 kids, I have to be able to drive, think and function. I have severe sciatica, hip & back pain. I am bone on bone with a rupture at L3/L4 and after the failed nerve stimulation my only option is fusion from L3 to S1 - NOT an option. I started Butrans about 6 months ago on 10 and moved to 20. I change every 5 days - my doctor wrote it that way - it wears off after 5. My pain breaks through some - but I have Norco which is less effective on the patch. It has to be put on carefully, precisely, & it itches, creates a slight rash and it occasionally comes off but I can't live without it. I don't feel high, I just feel relief."

• bio...
• February 14, 2013

"After more than a year of asking for extended relief (and moving up to 60mg Percocet with 40mg Flexeril), I was barely able to cook a meal, take a shower, anything that required standing. I was skeptical at first, but (hopefully I'm not jinxing myself), the addition of the Butrans patch for me has been life-changing. I often skip my oral doses, and I cooked two Christmas dinners. I cleaned my house, and right now I'm painting a bathroom and bedroom, a few hours at a time."

• Jam...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 6, 2019

"Butrans saved my life and enabled me to function with severe chronic pain, type 1 diabetes, and fibromyalgia. Been on max 20 mcg/hr for several years now. Have terrible sensitivity to patch adhesive, so spray Flovent (puffer) on skin prior to applying patch and all good! Ask your doc for off-label use of Flovent if you get severe itch - I was scratching my skin raw."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2020

"After I was put on the Butrans patch, I couldn’t sleep longer than 5 hours, and I have chronic fatigue syndrome, which normally requires at least 9 hours of sleep. Even though it didn’t help my pain, I continued using it, thinking it’s one of those meds that takes time to work. By the third week, I had a seizure."

• Tiw...
• February 18, 2013

"Butrans works. I have a hard time finding medicines that work, but plainly put, this works. It does come with a price, however, the patches are sometimes hard to keep on, showering becomes a true chore, the NextCare patches (to cover and waterproof the Butrans patch) are expensive and only last a few days. I wore Butrans for almost a year and in some places, it has scarred me - leaving an outline of the patch on my skin. Also, the patch can itch MADLY in some places. Finally, you must choose your location PERFECTLY or the patch will 'bubble' up or develop waves where the medicine is not making contact with your skin. Again, this patch works."

• Lol...
• September 11, 2013

"I loved this at first. I was able to leave it on for the full 7 days. The longer I left it on, my skin started to itch. Now, still trying to use it because it works so well, I can only leave it on for about 3 days before my skin is totally broken out. I am so disappointed because I'd rather not take pills."

• Jus...
• December 29, 2014

"My pain doctor suggested Butrans. Butrans works for me. It takes my pain level down to 3 or 4, and that is manageable for me. The only problem I have with the patch is I am allergic to the adhesive. I have to use a spray steroid prior to placing the patch. So far, it has worked. No itching or welts. I have a hard time getting it approved through both my insurances. It takes a couple of days to finally get it approved. I rarely have to take my breakthrough pain meds, and I like that."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 9, 2019

"I used the generic Butrans patch for 3 weeks due to my insurance co-pays. Each week, after 24 hours of applying the patch, the adhesive broke loose from the skin, and the patch was rendered useless. I eventually taped the patch to my arm but did not receive the full effect of the patch's medication. My pain increased significantly during this time. I contacted the company three times and sent photos, but the company representative did not resolve the issue. I now use only the brand name Butrans and pay a higher co-pay. I feel that the company should, at least, reimburse me for the defective patches."

• Rus...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 22, 2018

"After spending 4 years taking pills of hydrocodone and morphine for my chronic back pain and worrying whether I would not wake up from sleep, I expressed this concern to my new pain management doctor, who referred the Butrans patch. I started with 5 mcg and am now at 20 mcg after a year. I went through the side effects, from migraines to severe itching, and persevered, I learned to use Benadryl, and the migraines were gone after 3 months. My pain is now considerably less, from (9 to 2-4). I feel a lot better, and yes, I still have some effects, but they are nothing compared to the terrible withdrawal effects of pills and the fact I am still alive for my children and grandchildren."

• Kat...
• February 4, 2016

"I have been on the Butran pain patch for several years now because of chronic back pain (23 years). I started with 20 mcg and now I'm on 15 mcg. It really helps with my back pain. I hate taking anything that blurs my mind, and this by far doesn't do that. I am tired a lot (I have CFS), and I drink a lot of water. This medicine saved my life. I am now walking, swimming (I apply a waterproof bandaid over the patch), stretching, and doing housework. My life is so much better. I am not pain-free, but on a scale of one to ten, ten being the worst - I am a three. For almost 20 years, I was a ten."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 1, 2017

"I tried the Butrans patch after many years of being on oxy or hydrocodone. The first week was great. The very first night, I actually slept and woke up refreshed, which I realized hadn't happened in years. After that, it was a nightmare! The 2nd week, I began to notice I was in more pain than I was before I started the Butrans patch, and my right hand was waking me up about 3:30 am numb and feeling on fire, and I fought with that until I had to get up and go to work. I wasn't sure what was going on. By the 3rd week, both my hands were waking me up numb and feeling on fire around 1:30 every night! I was exhausted and in much more pain than ever! I took the patch off, and my symptoms are slowly subsiding. DO NOT TAKE THIS MED!!!!"

• Fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2020

"I started the Butrans patch in place of oral tramadol, two 50 mg four times daily after many years. I followed the leaflet to the tee. Almost immediately I had become exhausted. After waking, my breathing became labored, and the patch site started itching uncontrollably. Worried and anxious, I hadn't slept all night. After 24 hours, I called my physician about my symptoms. Now, I have a rash and am dosing myself with Benadryl for the next several days. This drug was a nightmare without the slumber."

• Mar...
• October 9, 2017

"On pain patch for 3 years and lowered from 10 mg to 5 mg. Did this to stop the use of this drug. It works great for about the first year, then other issues start. Poor sleep, withdrawal after the 5th day, won't last 7 days. When I stopped it, I had legs and arms spasming to the point of not walking, also lack of energy, and tired for about three weeks, depression, lack of interest in anything. Don't start if you can avoid it."

• Arr...
• August 23, 2014

"This medication was fantastic for relieving pain. It was more effective than oxycodone or hydrocodone. I had absolutely no side effects but one. The one side effect was just too much to deal with. Basically, this medication took away all libido and initiative and motivation. On the positive side, it made me feel relaxed, sedated, and a sense of well-being with absolute 100% pain relief at all times, but I may as well have been a zombie. This medication made me not care about much. Normally having a high sex drive, I had no libido at all, lost complete interest in my salsa dance lessons, and zero interest in going out. That's not living life. I prefer to stick to my hydros in that case."

• BKc...
• February 19, 2018

"Been on the Butrans transdermal patch for 3 years. I have a life-limiting condition and am past my medically prognosed expiration date. Each year I’ve had to increase my Butrans dosage to mitigate chronic pain (currently at 10 mcg). Butrans is a blessing to me. My car accident injuries are inoperable, and my severe pain has been chronic since then. Initially, I was on Methadone, which tore up my GI tract, causing multiple hospitalizations. Even morphine and tramadol didn’t help. My life before Butrans was very difficult. I have a much better quality of life now because of Butrans. I also take about 1800 mg daily gabapentin for neuropathy, and I am diabetic, and, and, and... Everyone reacts differently to drugs, especially when taking many (I am on 11 prescriptions plus other OTC drugs), but I have no issues with drug interaction with the Butrans. Butrans has helped me in very tangible ways, and I am thankful for it!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 17, 2014

"Wow! For me, this medicine is very effective. It only took 2 days for me to feel different. Seems that I'm always having this ache or that ache, but this is just unbelievable. If you are diabetic, I found that my blood sugar increased quite a bit."

• 201...
• February 16, 2018

"I have been on Butrans patch for 2 1/2 years for back pain, DDD, cervical, lumbar herniated discs, scoliosis, stenosis, fractured tailbone, osteoarthritis. My insurance changed to United Healthcare Jan. 1, 2018. During that time it would not cover Butrans patch cost $679. Insurance forced me to try Belbucca film. Tried it stuck to my teeth, take 2 hrs to dissolve. This drug made me so sick. I had 1 week of lying in bed, weak, chills, some nausea. The doctor told me to stop meds. So he called in my Butrans patch on February 12th. I fought for 2 whole days, making 36 total phone calls between the doctor, UHC, insurance. By the end of the day on Feb 14th, I had been so sick from Belbucca and not having my Butrans patch I had to go pick up my prescription of Butrans patch at the cost of $679. On 20 mg and it’s the best med I have used that works. Why deny my coverage?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2017

"Have had chronic pain for 10 yrs from fibro and deg disc disease and have just finished my 8th spinal surgery. I am on a 15 mcg patch. Only side effect is itching where the patch is, which I then take some Benadryl to counteract. It doesn't control pain 100%, but it helps and is not as horrid as fentanyl patches, which I had withdrawal issues with after just 3 months. I don't expect to be 100% pain-free with my conditions, but I will take any help I can :)"

• Mic...
• April 2, 2013

"I had been on Suboxone for 4.5 years for pain management (off-label use) after many years of Percocet, etc., for joint pain from rheumatoid arthritis. Moved from CA to eastern Okla. and needed a new Dr. Found one, suggested I look into Butrans patch since my issue was not opiate addiction. I have been on the 10 mcg patch for two weeks, and it definitely works, but I have an issue. Both weeks, about 3 days in, I started having sweats, restless leg at night, and a stronger than normal heartbeat. I pulled the patch, and 8 hrs later all is OK. Don't like these side effects."

• Luc...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 30, 2018

"I can say I have been on every med possibly known to man. I suffer from fibromyalgia and chronic migraines, and most days cannot even get out of bed. My neuro doc put me on the Butrans 20 mcg right from the start, and I was not convinced they were helping me at all. But by Day 2, I was so relieved when I woke from bed to start the morning, and I could get out of bed and not be in extreme pain that I couldn’t walk! So I will say for a fact, if you can afford this medication and your doc will try it - mixed with gabapentin - it is truly a miracle drug to say the least. They have a trial offer that lasts a year and will give you a good discount also. I pay $100 with my Blue Cross and Blue Shield insurance, and it is worth every penny!!!"

• KDH...
• May 16, 2014

"Chronic back pain/three back surgeries. Medicine is only mildly useful. I have breakthrough pain every time I have to walk more than two or three minutes. I was told I shouldn't need anything besides this medicine, but that is NOT true. I am also having a skin reaction at the patch site. Before being given this medicine, I reminded my doctor that I have a problem with most bandage adhesives (only paper tape works), but she said this wouldn't be a problem. Wrong... I am getting blisters."

• Mys...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2016

"I put this patch on on Friday. At first, I felt dizzy and nauseous, so I had to take a Zofran and the feeling went away. It seemed like the pain relief was almost immediate, it was a 7.25 mcg/hr patch. Keep in mind that I've been taking other pain meds since 2004 for fibromyalgia, and I had stopped them the day before in anticipation of this patch. I woke up in quite a bit of pain on Saturday and took a Norco, and with that and moving around, I felt fine. I had to take a Zofran Saturday, Sunday, and today for nauseousness, but other than that, I feel fine and the pain is gone. It has only been 3 days, but if it keeps working like this, I'm sticking with the patch. Very happy so far."

• Emm...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 13, 2019

"I live in the UK. I cannot sit for more than 10 minutes without being in excruciating pain (I have failed back surgery syndrome and bi-lateral degeneration in my SI joints). I am now on Butrans patches 70 mcg with buprenorphine subs (200 mg) for breakthrough pain. I had to beg my pain consultant for the subs because the patch provides no relief! I cannot even move without aggravating my SI joints. I only get 3 subs a day, but need to take at least 2 at a time to give me just 4 hours of relief. As I have to save them for BP, which usually occurs 1-3 times a day. I am in almost constant pain (6-7) and have to ride the BP out as I don't have enough subs to cover it. I am 40 years old and am now pretty much bed-bound. I suffer from constant migraines (with aura), fatigue, insomnia (average about 3 hours of sleep a night), shortness of breath, horrible clamminess, and my hair is all falling out. The patches irritate my skin and leave it red and sore. I am desperate to get off this drug!!"

• DiD...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 13, 2019

"Did not work for me at all. I started at 5 mcg, then 10, then 15, and my pain never decreased. I also got urine tested by the pain manager, and it never showed up in my drug screen, so they tested three months in a row, which cost me $100 each time out of pocket. (Is there any active ingredient in this??!!)"