Fentanyl Patch 75mcg/hr (Transdermal System)

Description

What is the Fentanyl Patch 75mcg used for?

Fentanyl Patch 75mcg is in a class of drugs called opioid analgesics, which work by binding to nervous system proteins called opioid receptors, thereby blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain.

Fentanyl Patch 75mcg is indicated for chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients, severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Physical dependence occurs commonly during therapy with opiate agonists such as Fentanyl Patch 75mcg/hr. Abruptly stopping the drug in patients can precipitate a withdrawal reaction.

Symptoms of withdrawal include:

• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Coughing
• Tearing
• Nasal discharge
• Profuse sweating
• Twitching muscles
• Yawning

Fentanyl can cause respiratory depression (decreased rate or depth of breathing), muscle rigidity, and slow heart rate. Nausea or vomiting, constipation, and itching can occur during treatment with fentanyl. Transdermal fentanyl can cause a variety of skin reactions. Commonly, redness occurs at the site of application and can last for 6 hours following removal of the patch.

Other side effects include:

• Dry mouth
• Abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Drowsiness
• Confusion
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Nervousness
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Euphoria

Possible serious side effects include:

• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Respiratory depression
• Death (overdose)
• Cardiac arrest
• Fainting
• Severe low blood pressure
• Seizures
• Slow heart rate
• Paralytic ileus
• Abuse
• Withdrawal symptoms

Exposing the patch to heat can increase the amount of fentanyl released and may lead to an overdose. Some patches may cause burns of the skin if worn during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan.

• Patches should be applied to a flat, non-irritated area on the upper torso.
• The area of application should be clean and washed with water only prior to application.
• The patch should be applied immediately after removing it from the package and pressed firmly against the skin for 10 to 20 seconds especially around the edges.
• Patches should never be cut or otherwise damaged.
• Doses required to control pain vary widely among patients.
• The recommended dose is 25 to 100 mcg/hour patch applied every 72 hours.
• The manufacturer considers a fentanyl transdermal dose of 100 µg/hour approximately equivalent to 360 mg/day of oral morphine.

The use of Fentanyl Patch 75mcg/hr with other central nervous system depressants can increase the ability of fentanyl to depress breathing, depress the brain, sedate, and lower blood pressure.

Other drugs that may result in slow heart rates in patients when used with fentanyl, and therefore, should be used cautiously include:

• Antipsychotics, for example, Thorazine and Stelazine, haloperidol (Haldol)
• Anxiolytics, for example, diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and zolpidem (Ambien)
• Certain antihistamines, for example, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• Barbiturates, for example, phenobarbital (Donnatal)
• Tricyclic antidepressants, for example, amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep) and doxepin (Sinequan), ethanol
• Skeletal muscle relaxants, for example, carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril), and baclofen (Lioresal). The use of fentanyl with amiodarone (Cordarone) may result in slow heart rates.

Cimetidine (Tagamet) when used with Fentanyl Patch 75mcg/hr can cause confusion, disorientation, or seizures due to impairment in breathing and brain function.