What is Duragesic-100 (skin patch)?
Fentanyl, an opioid pain medication, is used around the clock to treat moderate-to-severe pain. Duragesic 100 should not be used to treat mild, occasional, or surgical pain. Duragesic 100 can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Duragesic-100 (skin patch)
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, chest pain, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat. If you take opioid medicine, it can cause your breathing to slow down or stop. Death may result. If you are having slow breathing with long pauses or blue lips, someone caring for you needs to seek immediate medical attention.
If you suffer from:
- Slow heartbeat; sighing or weak breathing (for several days following removal of the skin patch);
- When sleeping, the breathing stops.
- Confusion, severe drowsiness, and feeling like you might pass out;
- Chest pain; fast or pounding heartbeats;
- Low cortisol levels can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and worsening fatigue or weakness.
If you experience symptoms of serotonin disorder, including: agitation or hallucinations; rapid heartbeat; muscle stiffness and twitching; and loss of coordination, the risk of serious side effects is higher in older adults, overweight people, and those who have been malnourished or are debilitated.
Duragesic 100 may cause the following side effects:
- Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and tiredness;
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation;
- Itching, redness, or rash at the site of the patch;
- Sleep problems (insomnia);
- Increased sweating or a cold feeling
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
Misusing opioid medication may result in addiction, overdose or death - make sure that any pills are kept out of reach of others for safe storage. Opioids during gestation may produce withdrawal symptoms which pose life-threating risks to both mother and unborn baby. You can experience fatal side effects if you combine Duragesic 100 with alcohol or other drugs that make you drowsy or cause breathing problems.
Before you take this drug
Ask your doctor if in doubt.
Never use fentanyl on anyone who doesn't have a prescription.
- Asthma or other respiratory problems that are severe;
- A stomach or obstruction.
Inform your physician of any of the following issues:
- Sleep apnea is a breathing problem.
- A head injury, brain tumor, or mental illness;
- Alcoholism or drug abuse
- Urination problems
- A seizure disorder;
- Liver or kidney disease
- You may have problems with your thyroid, gallbladder, or pancreas.
Tell your doctor that you've been sick and have a high fever. A high fever may increase the amount you absorb from your skin. Your baby may develop withdrawal symptoms after birth if you take opioids while pregnant. A baby who's born addicted to opioids will need medical care for several weeks.Do not breastfeed while on Fentanyl therapy.
How to take Duragesic-100 (skin patch)?
Stop taking all the other opioids around the clock. Follow all instructions listed on your medication's label carefully. Fentanyl should never be used in higher doses or for a longer period than prescribed. If you find yourself wanting to take more Duragesic 100, tell your doctor. Do not use a skin patch that has been damaged or cut. Do not share opioid medication with anyone, particularly if they have a history of drug abuse. Keep it away from children as misuse could lead to addiction, overdose or death - in any event it's illegal to sell or give away opioid medication. Skin patches must not be applied directly near your eyes, lips, nose or mouth. Please read and follow all directions provided with your medication, even if they seem confusing or unnecessary. If any questions arise regarding these instructions, it would be advisable to speak to either your healthcare provider or pharmacist immediately. Wear the fentanyl patch all the time, replacing it every 72 hours. Wear only one patch unless you have been told by your doctor to wear multiple patches.
Choose a place where a child can't easily remove a skin patch without supervision when placing one on them. You may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking fentanyl. You should ask your doctor about how to safely discontinue this medication. Each patch should be stored in a foil pouch at room temperature. Both used and un-used patches should be kept out of reach of pets or children. A used skin patch containing fentanyl can be deadly to children or pets who chew or suck on it. The skin patch should be disposed of immediately after removal. Fold it with its sticky side facing out.Never put a used patch in a garbage can. Keep any leftover opioid medications out of the reach of children as one dose could prove lethal if used inappropriately or accidentally. Talk with your pharmacist about a drug disposal program as a solution. If there isn't a take-back program available, you can dispose of any skin patches that are still in their original folded state. Do not flush away the foil pouches or patch liners. Place them in a garbage container, out of reach of pets and children.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Apply the missing patch immediately if you use the patches according to a schedule. Wear the patch for up to 72 hours and apply another one if necessary. Don't wear extra patches in order to make up for a missed dosage.
What happens if I overdose?
Call the Poison Help Line at 1-800-222-1222 or seek emergency medical care. An overdose of fentanyl can be deadly, especially if it is taken by a child or someone who has not been prescribed the drug.
What should be avoided?
When wearing the patch, avoid sources of heat. This includes a tanning bed, waterbed heater, or sauna. Avoid sitting in hot water or sunbathing, and refrain from vigorous exercise. Heat increases the amount of drugs you absorb through your body and can cause overdoses or death. Grapefruit can interact with fentanyl, causing unwanted side effects. Avoid using grapefruit products. Don't drink alcohol. Side effects and death can occur. Wearing a patch of skin on an area where a child can reach it or remove it is not recommended. Do not let children watch you apply a skin patch. Never call the fentanyl patch a "bandage" for a child. Duragesic 100 can cause you to feel dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you are familiar with how it will affect you. Dizziness and severe drowsiness may cause accidents or falls.
Interaction with other drug
If you stop or start taking certain medicines, you may experience breathing problems or withdrawal. You should tell your doctor if other medications are being used, such as an antifungal, blood pressure or heart medication, medication to treat HIV or hepatitis C, or seizure medicine.
Opioid medications can interact with other drugs, causing dangerous side effects and even death. Tell your doctor if you use:
- Cold or allergy medicine, bronchodilator asthma/COPD medications, or diuretics ("water pills");
- Medicines for motion sickness or irritable intestinal syndrome
- Other narcotics—opioid prescription cough medicine or pain medication;
- A sedative such as Valium—diazepam (alprazolam), lorazepam (lorazepam), Xanax (Klonopin), Versed, and others.
- Sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, medicines to treat mental disorders, mood disorders, etc.
- Drugs that increase serotonin in the body, such as stimulants, medicines for depression, Parkinson’s disease, or migraine headaches
This list is incomplete. Fentanyl can be affected by other drugs, such as prescription and OTC medications, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible interactions.
