[BabyRN2Be]

The only problems I've come across is for those patients allergic to tape/adhesive. You can get some pretty nasty reactions from the delivery system if one is sensitive to tape products.

[martysgurl]

Duragesic patches Rock !! We use them alot on our geriatric patients. We use them OA , long term pain control , palliative etc. There great for the patients that don't take meds well. I've found that they are generally lethargic for the first week until there system gets used to it. I wish all meds were given through a patch

[diddlina]

my husband has just recently been commenced on durogesic patches for chronic back pain. out GP has been vague regarding the long-term side effects of the patches. we are worried as you can only stay on them short-term as to what is next on the list of pain relief. he is only forty and we would like to know what the effects will be on his body in later life is he stays on them long-term.

has anyone come up against this.

[Patient]

I am a chronic non-malignant pain patient (severe abdominal adhesions and numerous bowel obstructions) and have been using the fentanyl patch for a little over a year. It has been a Godsend for me and is the only reason I'm even walking around any more.

Regarding disposal: I get very paranoid that my dogs or nieces/nephews might accidentally get hold of one, so I cut the patch, wash it out, put the remnants in its original foil wrap, and into the trash it goes. I found out the hard way that old patches have a tendency to clog the toilet pipes. :-)

Regarding sticking issues: The bioclusive covers just chew up my skin, so I use tegaderm elbow/knee bandages as covers and write the date and time on the padded area. It is extremely rare for one to come off since I began that method.

By the way, the patch also comes in a 12.5 mcg dose. Not always easy to find, but it is manufactured. I can't remember if mylan and sandoz also have the generic equivalent in that dosage, but that might work better for your more opiate naive geriatric patients to start with instead of the 25 mcg patch.