Get Informed: Duragesic
Active Ingredient(s)
Fentanyl
What does it do?
This product is used in the treatment of moderate to severe chronic pain. It is a narcotic and works to bind to opioid receptors, producing an analgesic and sedative effect.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-21 12:57 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:53 PM
Other Names
- Fentanyl
- Duragesic
- Actiq
- Fentanyl Citrate
- Durogesic
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- C
Black Box Warning
The transdermal form of this product has a black box warning relating to its risks of abuse and addictive qualities along with the potential to interact with other medications to over sedate.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 19 Feb 1968
- Est US Patients*
- 525,800
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Duragesic or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Duragesic Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
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What is Duragesic used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 3,000 patients that use Duragesic (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | 33% | 
|
| Back / Neck Pain | 20% | 
|
| Neuropathic Pain | 8% | 
|
| Migraine / Headache | 5% |
|
| Fibromyalgia | 5% | 
|
| Endometriosis | 2% |
|
| Pain-Musculoskeletal | 2% |
|
| Other | 30% |
|
How well does Duragesic work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 3,000 users taking Duragesic (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 85%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Duragesic outweigh the bad things.
- 29%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Duragesic.
Common Side Effects of Duragesic
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 3,000 users taking Duragesic (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
58% of patients experience side-effects on Duragesic
13% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Duragesic
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Constipation
-
Fatigue
-
Drowsiness
-
Nausea/Vomiting
-
Dizziness
-
Grogginess/Confusion
-
Memory/Speech Problems
-
Mood/Behavior Changes
-
Sweating
-
Skin/Nail Problems
-
Addiction
-
Headache
-
Dryness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Altered Taste/Smell, Bladder/Urinary Problems, Cold Sensitivity, Dental Problems, Depression, Heat Sensitivity, Hot Flushes, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Rebound Headache
Global Patient Feedback for Duragesic (Fentanyl) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
My mom has small cell lung cancer which has traveled to her liver where it is most pronounced. She also has very bad arthritis of the neck & back. SHe is in severe pain; her oncologist believes that it's from arthritis. She is on fentanyl patch. while she still has potential quality time left we want her to enjoy an occasional outing. Would a 50 or 75 combo patch make her too wobbly or dizzy to use her walker or drive a cart? We are not concerned with addiction-- we want her pain free.
88 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-28 22:16:17
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Pain management requires a very individualized approach as patient response versus side effect control is a balancing act. You or your mother should discuss her options with her doctor to determine if a dose increase is needed and could also be tolerated. In addition, there are other pain management drugs that could supplement the patch if she is able to take oral medications and needed immediate pain relief.
Posted: 2009-11-03 13:41:21
Question/Comment:
I have been taking Fentynal 50mcg's for about a year before that I was on the 25's for about a year. I never make it the 72 hours. I change every 48 hours and still am taking 2-4 Norco's a day for break through. I have medi-cal and they are such asses about covering that I usually end up paying out the difference for in cash which is something that I can NOT afford, but what other choice do I have. Does anyone know of anything else that they can use for chronic pain. I had back surgery Fusion L5 S1 and they damaged my nerves to my legs. I am in severe pain all of the time and still am trying to figure out exactly what my diagnosis is after 3 years and approx 25-30 different Doctor's trying to figure it out. The latest possibility is that I have "Arachnoiditis" I would love to find others that have this and talk to them. Oh the other meds I take are
Gabapentin 600mg 8 pills a day
Cymbalta 60mg 1 pill a day
Norco 10/325 2-4 a day for breakthru pain
Fentenyal 50mcg every 48 hours
Ambien 10mg 1 pill
If anyone has any suggestions that they are using that will work better than this combanation I would love to talk with you. I have been on all of these for almost 4 years and feel like they just are not as effective as they once were. If I am going to destroy my organs with all this crap I would feel much better if I could use something that worked.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-24 08:10:15
Answer/Reply:
I also am taking Fentyl for back and neck disc surgery issues and pinched nerves. I also have RA, Osteoarthritis, just call it chronic pain.
I took higher doses of Fentyl, didn't like the side effects and requested to go down.
I now am taking 37mg.
Ask your Dr about, one 25mg, and one 12mg. if he does not agree...I also take Elavil instead of Ambien at night for nerve pain. Elavil helps relive nerve pain and helps me sleep through the night without waking up.
I've just recently started taking Nabutome for my RA and it is a wonder drug. It is being prescribed for migraines and I've heard others that get a lot of relief from this pill.
Also, this might sound hokey to you but...start trying some relaxation techniques, it works.
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-25 14:25:30
Answer/Reply:
I have been on the "patch" for a few years - 50's - and I, too, cannot go 3 days before a change. I am now changing every 2 days. I do not like the side effects/addiction of it but it works at times. I, too, am in pain most of the time. It's like it's not strong enough but I don't want to bump up the dosage, either because your body gets used to the new strength and will eventually quit working at that level. I would get a 2nd and 3rd opinion on the "Arachnoiditis". My cousin has this disease and she is debilitated. It is horrible. Read all you can about it and also read what natural remedies you can take for your body to help fight it off. I totally believe in natural remedies now.
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-26 17:27:29
Answer/Reply:
Perhaps your condition is a hidden possibility, you may want to be tested for R.S.D. (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) this is a condition I posses, it's very simple, the sympathetic nerve system is over loaded with signals from the brain and your medications, hence the body has no idea what to do when all these signals reach your sympathetic nervous system. These days they call this condition R.P.S. (Regional Pain Syndrome) simply put, the neurologist can't say with absolute certainty that it is the sympathetic nervous system causing the problem. In 1991 I was one of 11 patients diagnosed with this condition, there is hope though, I underwent a simple surgical procedure called a SYMPATHECTOMY and it worked, within 60 to 90 days I was pain free and off the dope, the sympathectomy is the removal of the sympathetic nerve gang loin. I have recently fell down a flight of stairs an another region of my body is effected by R.S.D. and the old injury is again acting up, I too am on the Fentanyl 50 mcg., protocol and Vicodin, diazepam, Ambien, and LIDODERM Patches, I find mild relief with the Lidoderm patch. Perhaps you might want checked for R.P.S. the operation I spoke of will be especially painful for a week or two, but well worth it, if you come out without pain, I also suggest you find a Top Knotch surgeon to perform this proceedure. Dr. Frederick Heinle of Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster Pennsylvania is the very best, if you have the means I would suggest you seek out his expertise.
43 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-08 17:56:47
Answer/Reply:
Why have they not just increased your patch? I am currently on the 50 micro g and also a 12 microgram with low dose morphine (statex) for breakthrough pain. My doctor has said she will even consider going higher, but right now this is working for me. She said the max for me would be 100 micrograms, but still, that would be double what you take now. Plus maybe your other list could going down.
36 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-01 23:44:52
Question/Comment:
How good is the drug as to do with pain?
47 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-26 21:12:49
Answer/Reply:
Fentanyl does not completly stop my back and leg pain. I have neuropathic pain and back pain from a fusion that did not fuse. I still need a pain medication to cover the breakthrough pain.
66 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-27 16:43:17
Question/Comment:
I have fibromyalsia, chronic fatigue, sorgrens, and now the a new doctor thinks it may be my thyroid because of the severe fatigue. I am on fentanyl, lortab and cymbalta. I have been on fentanyl and lortab for 9 months and cymbalta for about 6 and i want to get off of the fentanyl. I feel that it isn't helping enough to warrant the awlful withdrawl that I know will happen. I still take lortab two 3x's a day to off set when I'm bad and that's pretty much always. Some days it's only once. What should I expect when I stop the fentanyl as far as withdrawl and should I do it gradually or stop it completely? My plan is to check my thyroid again and start a new treatment and off set with more holistic therapies.
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-22 21:29:41
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
You should not abruptly discontinue your Fentanyl without first discussing it with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to determine how to best taper your fentanyl doses to minimize side efffects while still controlling your pain symptoms.
Posted: 2009-07-28 23:08:08
Answer/Reply:
DO NOT stop duragesic (fentanyl) all at once. You need to gradually withdraw from it w/the help of your doc, but if you are going to do it on your own you can fold your patches so that you are not getting the gel all at once. I have been on them for several years for my fibromyalgia, migraines, & other chronic pain problems. At once time my insurance notified me they were no longer going to pay for them so I had no choice but to discontinue their use, so my pain doc had me fold them for a while but I don't remember how long. But it is much safer if you do it w/your doc's help. I understand your frustration b/c I have been on 75 mcg now for about 3 years & seem to be taking more hydrocodone each day to keep my pain tolerable, so I wonder why I'm on them. I was on cymbalta for about 2 years but stopped taking it b/c altho I didn't notice side effects until I had been on it for a very long time, toward the end the side effects got very bad. For those of us w/chronic pain conditions it gets hard to know what the best option is but the withdrawal is really bad & can be dangerous if you try to go "cold turkey" so please don't try it.
58 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 13:42:36
Answer/Reply:
OMG! do not stop fentanyl all at once. Have your doc reduce your dose, then switch to an oral narcotic med in lowering doses until you stop. That should stop almost all withdrawals.
Synthyroid doesn't interact w/pain meds for me (or any others I take), and hypo-thyroidism may be causing some of your fatigue.
48 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 20:20:06
Answer/Reply:
Consider that Fentanyl is 50x stronger than heroin,withdrawl gradually. The Loratabs with help with the withdrawals,but until off the Fentanyl for at least a week you will have some discomfort. Have you tried a stronger dose of the Fentanyl? I know your trying to get off of it,but you may need a higher dose for it to work. I wish you the best of luck, and will keep you in my prayers.
MiMi
Tommysmommy13@yahoo.com
44 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-20 13:28:23
Answer/Reply:
hi i have been on fentanyl for about 9 monthes for disc disease and herniated and bulging disc.i had to get off that med because i would have terrible withdrawls when it was getting time to change the patch.my dr. finally whened me off the med with oxycotton.well the oxycotton was just as bad so i wheened down and then i was severely sick for about three weeks.throwing up diarrea stomach hurting real bad.i found a medicine called saboxin that is used to wheen people off there meds or for people on drugs.if it wasnt for that med i think i would have commited sucide because i was so sick.dont stop your med all at once because it can be fatal.ask your dr about saboxin it is a life saver.best wishes to you
34 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-20 21:57:27
Answer/Reply:
hi i have herinated disc bulging disc and degenerative disc disease.i was on fentanyl patch for my pain.let me tell you ween off that med right away.dont stop it immediately because it could be fatal.my dr tried to ween me with oxycotton and that was just as bad.i finally weened down off that and was sick as a dog for about three weeks.i thought i would committe susicide i was so sick.throwing up diarrea stomach pain un godely.i found a med called soboxin that helps you from being sick.if it wasnt for that i would have rather jumped off a bridge.i highly recomend that med.ask your dr about it.i pitty any one who would have to go through what i did.best of luck to you.
34 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-20 22:18:38
Answer/Reply:
Whatever you do DON'T just quit all at once,ask your doctor to wean you off of the fentanyl slowly. I was sick with the flu for a weak and forgot to change my patch. I was just getting over the flu when I had to be taken to the hospital by ambulance because of withdrawl pain. (We didn't know that was what it was at the time) The pain and muscle cramps and spasms were so bad I couldn't do anything. My body was contorted and I couldn't move my arms or legs because of the severe muscle cramps. It took 12 hours of IV fentanyl to be able to move my arms. DON'T just quit!!!!!
46 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-21 15:48:07
Answer/Reply:
To 44 year old female: Make sure you follow your Doctors instructions for getting of the Fentenyl. There is also a drug bt the name of suboxone that helps with the withdrawl from opiates.
52 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-22 17:09:27
Answer/Reply:
Im not sure if you know this but suboxin is not a medication that will always help with withdrawl if you are not already in withdraw & i mean in withdraw sick, achy, stomach pain, runing to the bathroom, all the works caus if your not the suboxin will get you there quick. When your withdrawing is when you want to take the suboxin. After it gets all the medication worked out & blocks all the recepters it will then start to make you feel better. Either way with or without the saboxin your gona go through withdraw. It may not be the same for all people i have a close friend who has had 5 back surgeries & was tired of living on pain medications so his doctor prescribed suboxin the doctor didnt warn him of the affects so yes hes medication free but he went through heck to get there. So be warned it doesnt exactly help you with withdraw it just helps after you have gone through withdraw. Like i said this may not pertain to everyone but to all good luck take care & God Bless
27 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-22 22:45:09
Answer/Reply:
I take Norco 10/325 6 times a day, along with Tramadol 50 4 times a day and wear 2 Fentanyl 25 mcg patches. I do not know if Suboxone will work with Fentanyl, but my girlfriend hospitalized herself and they gave her Suboxone to help her stop a 10 to 20/day Vicodin habit. She went in cold turkey, went immediately on the Suboxone, stayed in the hospital for 4 days and had absolutely NO symptoms of withdrawl. She had to stay on the Suboxone for 16 months, but it cured her addiction without having to pay the piper. The best medicine for opiate withdrawl ever invented! You have to be warned in advance, though, that while you are taking Suboxone opiates do NOT work. So don't take this approach just to get off one drug if you are intending to stay on other opiates... it will remove all opiate benefits in the process.
60 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-25 01:22:08
Answer/Reply:
DO NOT just stop taking it! If you read the inserts from any of the boxes of the Fentanyl it explains how to stop taking it. Depending on the dosage that you are on, you may have to go to a rehab clinic (info on the inserts) to help get you off of it. I know for a fact that the withdrawl is the worst thing that I have ever felt in my life. I forgot to change my patches on time and I became very sick with the shakes, itching skin, sweats, and severe stomach cramping. Now I know how an addict feels and it is TERRIBLE!!!! Please talk to your doctor and have him/her help you to wean off the meds the safe way.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-28 14:02:17
Answer/Reply:
DO NOT just stop taking it! If you read the inserts from any of the boxes of the Fentanyl it explains how to stop taking it. Depending on the dosage that you are on, you may have to go to a rehab clinic (info on the inserts) to help get you off of it. I know for a fact that the withdrawl is the worst thing that I have ever felt in my life. I forgot to change my patches on time and I became very sick with the shakes, itching skin, sweats, and severe stomach cramping. Now I know how an addict feels and it is TERRIBLE!!!! Please talk to your doctor and have him/her help you to wean off the meds the safe way.
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-28 14:11:42
Answer/Reply:
Very smart thing for you! I've been there and done that! Meditation, relaxation techniques work wonders. Read all you can on these. I've been where you are and now am 52 with the same.
I am still a chronic pain patient, but I know I am in control of my pain. I have pain, my pain does not have me.
Also, I found when my doctor's prescribed 2 and 3 Lortabs daily...I would not take it like that. I would take one pill in the morning. If I just couldn't stand it anymore, I would take another. Then at night, I would take .5 to keep a maintenance dose.
You don't have to take pain medication just because it says 2 pills 4 times a day. That is the recommended dosage by your doctor.
After awhile at my dosage, I found...I cut myself down to .5 a pill at night and that kept a maintenance dosage in my system that did not peak and valley. I kept my pain under control.
I also have thyroid issues as well. I was Hypo symtomatic with Hyper test results. I ended up having to take the radioactive 'cocktail' pill to kill part of my thyroid to regulate. I now take replacement.
I do agree with Holistic...all the way. I've heard stories of people combating cancer through the power of their mind! really cooll!
51 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-25 14:35:36
Question/Comment:
WARNING PLEASE READ IF YOU USE DURAGESIC This message is to all the people who use duragesic/fentanyl i have been on duragesic for 6 years now last year i went to have a simple outpatient precedure done at a hospital ovcourse i listed my drug allergies on the paper work what i didnt know is that when i came out of surgery they where planing on giving me a shot of Nubane this is a medication used to treat mild pain to me it is now called the drug from hell. The miniute she put that drug in my IV i started going through the worst withdraw in my life i literally thought i was gonna die my body hurt so bad i wanted to climb out of my skin i kicked & swung i screamed please dear lord help me i beg of u, anyone that has ever went through withdraw knows the pain im talking about . Nobody knew what was going on not the doctors or nurses no one they called the ER then the pharmacy & finally found out that Nubane forces the Fentanyl/Duragesic out of your system causing rapid & severe withdraw so please remember this if your on Duragesic & needing to have surgery please you need to say no to NUBANE
27 year old Female
Posted: 2009-07-19 14:16:26
Answer/Reply:
New information is always good. I've been on Duragesic for almost 7 years now. Because of stomach problems most oral pain medication, especially long term use, is out of the question for me. Duragesic supplies the pain relief for my special form of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Current dosage isn't keeping up, any increase it would definitely bring on drowiness; I don't really want or need that in my life right now. Thanks for the info, I'll have to keep NUBANE in mind.
59 year old Male
Posted: 2009-08-17 00:14:37
Answer/Reply:
I'm not sure what you had done but I wouldn't think Nubain would ever be an acceptable analgesic after a surgical procedure, I wonder why they chose that, didn't they look at the list of medications you were on, maybe if you see the dr. again you could ask.
49 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-17 23:07:46
Answer/Reply:
Doctors make mistakes all the time somtimes even resulting in death so it is no suprise to me that i would be given that medication its also no suprise that they did not tale the time to look at my chart to see the list of medications that i was on or to see if there would be an adverse reaction by mixing the two i did hohever ask & all that i was told was they made a mistake in not realising the counter indacation so yes i do believe it was an unbelievably bad mistake but very easily made & nubane being a pain medicine, is used very often.
27 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-22 21:31:47
Answer/Reply:
Stadol is another narcotic antagonist, which when given if you are on any narcotics will cause rapid withdrawal symptoms. Nubane n Stadol are pain relievers, but also called narcotic antagonists. Always inform your surgeons, ER physcians, ect. if you are on narcotic. Most drs. know that this would be a problem. I learned this in nursing school. I was given Stadol while I was on a Duragesic patch. It will also cause problems if you have been on any narcotic for a long time.
57 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-18 19:14:09
Answer/Reply:
Thank you for that information. I use Duragesic patches. I hope to have weight reduction surgery soon. This is great to know....
49 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-19 07:17:02
Answer/Reply:
OMG! I am so sorry for what you went though. I just ( less then 24 hrs ago ) started the Fentanyl Patch ( 75 mg ) and will be having surgery in the next 6 weeks for some other ( non back ) related health issue.
Thank you SO much for sharing this!!!!!! ♥
I can't image how this slipped by the Dr and nurses with your case - so sad !
47 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-28 11:20:40
Answer/Reply:
Oh, YES, been there!! Not with Nubane, but with not getting my prescription soon enough and had to go without a patch for several days! OH MY GOODNESS!!! DO NOT DO THIS! AND DO NOT LET ANY DOCTOR LET YOU DO THIS!!! It is a HORRIBLE feeling. Withdrawals from this drug are HORRIBLE. Believe me!!!
41 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-26 17:31:16
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Patient Comments about
Duragesic