FENN-tuh-nill, tranz-DUHR-muhl
Fentanyl is a narcotic, or opioid, pain medication. Transdermal fentanyl decreases pain caused by cancer or chronic illnesses. Transdermal means that the medication gets into your body by crossing through your skin.
This medicine may be called by its brand name, Duragesic®, or by the common names, transdermal fentanyl or fentanyl patch.
Transdermal fentanyl is a patch that is applied to your skin. The patch should be applied at least 1 day before you lower the dose of your other pain medications. Each patch releases medicine for up to 3 days.
Follow the instructions exactly if you use the transdermal patch. Each time you put on a patch:
Apply a new patch every 3 days, after taking off the old patch. Choose a new site each time to avoid skin irritation and to keep a safe amount of medication in your body. You can re-apply a patch at the same site after another 3 days. Some patients need to apply a new patch every 2 days for good pain control; talk to your doctor before changing how often you apply the patches.
Apply the patch at the same time of day each time, like 9AM, 9PM, or another convenient time. Mark your calendar with an "X" or another symbol to remind you when to apply a new patch.
Store transdermal fentanyl at room temperature away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not open the sealed pouches until just before you use a dose.
Fentanyl can be harmful or deadly to children and pets. Store the medication in a safe place, out of their reach and sight.
Do not drive or use machines if you become dizzy, drowsy, or less alert than normal while taking fentanyl. If you take fentanyl on a regular basis, these effects usually wear off 1-2 weeks after you start taking the medication or increase your dose.
Move slowly when you sit or stand up if you feel dizzy or light-headed while getting fentanyl.
Do not drink alcohol (i.e., beer, wine, hard liquor) while you take fentanyl. You may become more dizzy or drowsy than usual or have breathing problems when this medicine is combined with alcohol.
Fentanyl can cause severe constipation, especially if you take it for a long time. If you are given laxatives to prevent this, take these medicines exactly as you are told. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist for other ways to reduce your risk of constipation.
Addiction does not usually occur in cancer patients who take fentanyl for their pain. However, fentanyl may be habit-forming and your body may get used to the medication. If you have used fentanyl regularly for several weeks, do not stop taking fentanyl without checking with your doctor first. You may need to gradually decrease your dose, or "taper off" the medicine, if you take fentanyl for more than a few weeks or in high doses.
Do not cut or damage patches, since this may change how much medication you get.
Wear only one patch at a time, unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you differently. If they tell you to use more than one patch, place both patches on your skin at the same time, but on different skin areas.
You can bathe, shower, or swim while you have the patch on. If it does fall off, put on a new patch at a different skin site.
Place the patch only on yourself and not on anyone else. If the patch comes off your skin and sticks to someone else, remove the patch and call your doctor right away.
If you have a fever above 102° Fahrenheit, you may absorb more medication from the patch than is safe. Call your doctor right away to find out if you should use a lower dose or remove the patch.
If the application site gets hot, you may absorb more medication from the patch than is safe. Do not expose the application site to outside heat sources, like heat lamps, electric blankets, heating pads, saunas, long hot baths, hot tubs, or heated water beds.
Even a used fentanyl patch contains enough medication to cause illness if the patch is eaten or touched. After you remove an old patch, fold the patch in half and stick the glue to itself. Then, flush the patch down the toilet right away and wash your hands with water.
Throw away any leftover, unused patches if you do not need the patches any more. Follow the instructions exactly when you get rid of the unused patches:
Apply the missed dose right away if you skip or forget to apply the fentanyl patch. Do not increase your dose, or wear extra patches, to make up for a missed dose. Mark your calendar with an "X" or another symbol to remind you when to apply a new patch.
Call your doctor if you are worried about a side effect or have questions about your medical care.
Call the doctor at once if you have any of these side effects:
Call the doctor as soon as you can if you have any of these side effects:
Addiction does not usually occur in cancer patients who take fentanyl for their pain. However, your body may need time to adjust after you stop taking fentanyl, depending on how much fentanyl you took and how long you were on it. Some people need several days before they return to normal. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these side effects during this time:
These written patient information materials should be used in conjunction with verbal counseling. They are not intended as the sole source of information patients receive about their chemotherapy and other medications. The adverse effects listed are important and common ones that patients might experience; every possible adverse effect is not included. Long-term adverse effects, like secondary malignancy and infertility, are discussed for those drugs whose risk is well defined.