Fentanyl Patch

Fentanyl is a strong opioid painkiller. It’s used to treat severe pain, for example during or after an operation or a serious injury, or pain from cancer.

It is also used for other types of pain that you’ve had for a long time when weaker painkillers have stopped working.

Fentanyl patch is available only on prescription. It comes as:

• patches to be put on your skin
• lozenges and tablets that dissolve in the mouth
• nasal spray
• injections (usually only given in hospital)

Fentanyl patch are used for long-lasting pain. Your doctor may also prescribe other types of fentanyl if you need extra pain relief while your regular painkiller wears off.

• The most common side effects of fentanyl patch are constipation, and feeling sick and sleepy.
• It is possible to become addicted to fentanyl, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted.
• If you need to take fentanyl for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine.
• It’s best not to drink alcohol when you first start taking (or using) fentanyl. You’re more likely to get side effects such as feeling sleepy or drowsy.
• Tell a doctor or nurse about your fentanyl patch if you’re having any treatment or tests. Also, remind your pharmacist about your patch when you collect prescriptions or buy other medicines.

Fentanyl patch can be used by most adults.

Some patches can be used in children from the age of 2 years and over. However, young children and older people are more likely to get side effects.

Fentanyl patches are usually only used if you’ve already been taking other strong opioid painkillers. Your doctor will work out how much fentanyl to give you depending on what dose of other opioids you have been taking. This is to reduce the risk of an overdose.

Fentanyl patch is not suitable for some people. Tell your doctor before starting this medicine if you:

• have ever had an allergic reaction to fentanyl or any other medicines
• have breathing difficulties such as asthma or a lung condition
• are addicted to alcohol or a heavy drinker
• have a head injury or condition that causes fits or seizures
• have irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia)
• have adrenal gland problems
• have kidney or liver problems
• have an enlarged prostate
• have low blood pressure
• are trying to get pregnant, are pregnant or breastfeeding

Follow your doctor’s instructions about how to use this medicine. This is particularly important because fentanyl patch can be addictive.

Doses vary from person to person. Your dose will depend on how bad your pain is, how you’ve responded to other painkillers and if you get any side effects from fentanyl.

Fentanyl tablets, lozenges, nasal spray and injections are fast-acting. They’re used for pain that is expected to last for a short time.

Fentanyl patch are slow-release. This means fentanyl patch is gradually released through the skin into your body.

How often to take or use fentanyl

How often you take or use fentanyl depends on the type that you’ve been prescribed:

• patches – apply a new patch every 3 days (remove the old one first)
• tablets, lozenges and nasal spray – usually only when you need them

Some patches keep working after they’ve been removed as they “store” fentanyl under the skin. Fentanyl patches take longer to start working but last longer. They’re used for when pain lasts for a long time.

Sometimes your doctor may prescribe a fentanyl patch with a fast-acting painkiller. This is to manage sudden flare-ups of pain that “break through” the relief the patches give.

Strength of fentanyl

The different types of fentanyl come in a range of strengths:

• patches – these release 12 micrograms to 100 micrograms of fentanyl every hour
• nasal spray – 50 micrograms to 400 micrograms
• tablets – 100 micrograms to 800 micrograms
• lozenges – 200 micrograms to 1,600 micrograms

Will my dose go up or down?

Before taking or using fentanyl, you will usually start on a low dose of another type of opioid, such as morphine. This will be increased slowly until your pain is well controlled.

Once your pain is under control, your doctor may swap you to fentanyl patches. This will avoid you having to take tablets or capsules each day.

If your doctor agrees that you can stop taking fentanyl, they will reduce the strength of your patch gradually. This is especially important if you’ve been taking it for a long time to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Your doctor may switch you to morphine tablets or liquid or another similar painkiller so that they can reduce the dose of fentanyl even more slowly.

How to apply a fentanyl patch

1. Read the instructions that come with your patch carefully.
2. Remove the patch from the packet – do not use scissors to open it as you may cut the patch. Do not cut patches unless your doctor has told you to.
3. Keep the empty packet – you will need to put your used patch in this to keep it safe. You will then need to return it to your pharmacist who will destroy it in the right way.
4. Peel off the plastic from the back of the patch. Do not touch the sticky side of the patch.
5. Apply the patch to clean, dry, flat, undamaged skin. Do not touch the sticky side of the patch. Choose somewhere you can reach easily such as the top of your chest or top of your arm. Try to avoid very hairy areas, or clip the hairs first before applying the patch. If you find shaving easier, shave the area a few days before you apply the patch to make sure shaving does not irritate your skin.
6. If your doctor tells you to use more than 1 patch, follow the instructions that come with the patches. Do not let the patches overlap on your skin.
7. Do not cover the patch or patches with anything, including a dressing or tape. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you find your patch does not stick very well.
8. Wash your hands after touching a patch.

Do not expose your patch to strong heat or sunlight. This can increase the amount of fentanyl that gets absorbed into your skin and can increase the risk of side effects or overdose. This includes long hot baths, saunas, electric blankets, hot water bottles, heat pads and sunbathing.

You can have showers and go swimming. Check the patch is still on properly afterwards and dry the area around the patch carefully.

What to do if your patch falls off

Check your patch every day to make sure it stays stuck to you, especially around the edges.

If your patch is missing, make sure it has not stuck to another person by mistake. It’s important to find it and put it back in the packet until you can return it to your pharmacist.

If a patch falls off before the usual 3 days are up, put another patch on a different part of your body and put the old patch back in the packet it came in.

Changing your patch

When you change your patch, try to do it at the same time of day. Think of ways to help you remember when to change it. You could:

• write the details on your calendar
• write the time and date on the surface of the patch itself (using a soft-tip, permanent marker pen)
• use a phone app or smart speaker to record the time

Storing fentanyl safely

Keep all types of fentanyl in a safe place and out of reach of children or vulnerable adults.

Used patches still contain fentanyl that can be dangerous to someone else. It’s important to stick the sticky sides back together after you have taken them off and keep them safe until you can take them back to your pharmacist.

What if I forget to take or apply it?

This will vary depending on which type of fentanyl patch  you’re using. Most types of fentanyl are only taken when you need them and so you are unlikely to forget.

Never take 2 doses at the same time to make up for a forgotten one.

Always remove the old patch before applying a new one. Never use more than 1 patch at a time, unless your doctor tells you to.

If you often forget to change patches, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.

What if I take too much?

It’s important not to take more than your prescribed dose, even if you think it’s not enough to relieve your pain. Speak to your doctor first, if you think you need a different dose.

Too much fentanyl patch can be dangerous. However, the amount that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person.

If you’ve taken too much you may feel very sleepy, sick or dizzy. You may also find it difficult to breathe. In serious cases you can become unconscious and may need emergency treatment in hospital.

Make sure the patch does not get stuck to someone else’s skin, especially a child’s, by accident – for example if it falls off in bed or if the patch falls on the floor.

It’s safe to take fentanyl with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin.

Do not take any painkillers with codeine including co-codamol, ibuprofen and codeine (Nurofen Plus) and Solpadeine when using fentanyl – you will be more likely to get side effects.

Like all medicines, fentanyl patch can cause side effects in some people but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.

You are more likely to get side effects with higher doses of fentanyl.

Common side effects

Common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or do not go away:

• constipation
• feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
• stomach pain
• feeling sleepy or tired
• feeling dizzy or a sensation of spinning (vertigo)
• confusion
• headaches
• itching or skin rashes

Serious side effects

Serious side effects happen in less than 1 in 100 people.

Call your doctor (if you are wearing a patch, remove your patch) if:

• your muscles feel stiff for no obvious reason
• you feel dizzy, tired and have low energy – all of these together could be a sign of low blood pressure

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, it’s possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to fentanyl.

These are not all the side effects of fentanyl. For the full list, see the leaflet inside you medicines packet.

What to do about:

• constipation – try to eat more high-fibre foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables and cereals. Try to drink several glasses of water or squash each day. If you can, it may also help to do some gentle exercise. Speak to your doctor about medicine to help prevent or treat constipation caused by fentanyl if your symptoms do not go away. Watch a short video on how to treat constipation.
• feeling or being sick – this side effect should normally wear off after a few days. Stick to simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food. Drink plenty of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. If you’re being sick, take small, regular sips of water. Ask your doctor about anti-sickness medicine if it gets worse or lasts longer than a few days.
• stomach pain – try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help. If you are in a lot of pain, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
• feeling sleepy or tired – these side effects should wear off within a week or two as your body gets used to fentanyl. Talk to your doctor if they carry on for longer. Do not drink alcohol as it will make these side effects worse.
• feeling dizzy or a sensation of spinning (vertigo) – stop what you’re doing and sit or lie down until you feel better. Do not drink alcohol as it will make these side effects worse. If the feeling does not go away, do not take any more medicine and speak to a pharmacist or your doctor. Do not drive, ride a bike or use tools or machinery.
• confusion – talk to your doctor if you feel confused, your dose may need to be changed.
• headaches – make sure you rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink alcohol while taking fentanyl as this can make headaches worse. Ask your pharmacist to recommend a painkiller. Headaches should usually go away after the first week of taking fentanyl. Talk to your doctor if they last longer than a week or are severe.
• itching or rashes – it may help to take an antihistamine, which you can buy from a pharmacy. Check with the pharmacist to see what type is suitable for you. If symptoms do not go away or it gets worse talk to your doctor as you may need to try a different painkiller.

Fentanyl patch and pregnancy

Fentanyl patch is generally not recommended during pregnancy.

In early pregnancy, it’s been linked to some problems for your baby. If you take fentanyl patch at the end of pregnancy there’s a risk that your baby may get withdrawal symptoms or be born addicted to fentanyl.

However, it’s important to treat pain in pregnancy. For some pregnant women with severe pain, fentanyl  patch might be the best option. Your doctor is the best person to help you decide what’s right for you and your baby.

For more information about how fentanyl can affect you and your baby during pregnancy, read this leaflet about fentanyl on the Bumps website.

Fentanyl patch and breastfeeding

Fentanyl patch is not usually recommended if you’re breastfeeding.

Small amounts of fentanyl pass into breast milk and can cause breathing problems for your baby. Speak to your doctor as they may want to recommend a different painkiller.

Some medicines and fentanyl patch interfere with each other and increase the chance that you will have side effects.

Tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines:

• to help you sleep
• for high blood pressure
• to help stop you feeling or being sick
• to treat symptoms of an allergy
• for mental health problems including depression, or to reduce stress or anxiety
• for any infection (including HIV)
• to control fits or seizures

Mixing fentanyl patch with herbal remedies and supplements

It’s not possible to say that herbal medicines or remedies are safe to take with fentanyl.

They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They’re generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.