Fentanyl Patches: How to use safely Fentanyl is an opioid (narcotic) pain Use warm water to clean the skin. medicine. It can get into your body by Allow the skin to dry. using a skin patch. Try not to touch the sticky side. If you touch the sticky side, rinse your Fentanyl patches are used to provide a hands with water only. Soap, lotion slow, constant flow of medicine for the and alcohol increases the amount of relief of constant pain. The patches medicine absorbed. cannot be used unless you have been on Press the patch in place for 30 some other opioids first. seconds. Make sure that the edges are The first patch may take up to 24 hours stuck to the skin. to give pain relief. Your doctor may Wash your hands right away using have you take other pain medicine for water only. the first day or if you have breakthrough pain. Your doctor will Where to apply the patch determine if you need one or more The skin needs to be unbroken, flat and patches together to get the right dose. away from a joint; such as shoulder, Patches are usually replaced every 3 upper back or upper arm. The skin also days. Change your patch(es) at the same needs to be hairless. You may need to time of day. clip hair, but do not shave. Tell your doctor: • All the medicine you take What are the common side • Your medical conditions and allergies effects? • If you develop a rash or itchiness from Hard stools (constipation) the patch Upset stomach (nausea) • If you have uncontrolled pain Throwing up (vomiting) How to apply the patch Dizziness Feeling sleepy Keep the patch in its package until Headache you are ready to use it. Sweating a lot Do not cut the patch.
Fentanyl Patches: How to use safely Fentanyl is an opioid (narcotic) pain medicine. It can get into your body by using a skin patch. Fentanyl patches are used to provide a slow, constant flow of medicine for the relief of constant pain. The patches cannot be used unless you have been on some other opioids first. The first patch may take up to 24 hours to give pain relief. Your doctor may have you take other pain medicine for the first day or if you have breakthrough pain. Your doctor will determine if you need one or more patches together to get the right dose. Patches are usually replaced every 3 days. Change your patch(es) at the same time of day. Tell your doctor: • All the medicine you take • Your medical conditions and allergies • If you develop a rash or itchiness from the patch • If you have uncontrolled pain How to apply the patch Keep the patch in its package until you are ready to use it. Do not cut the patch. Use warm water to clean the skin. Allow the skin to dry. Try not to touch the sticky side. If you touch the sticky side, rinse your hands with water only. Soap, lotion and alcohol increases the amount of medicine absorbed. Press the patch in place for 30 seconds. Make sure that the edges are stuck to the skin. Wash your hands right away using water only. Where to apply the patch The skin needs to be unbroken, flat and away from a joint; such as shoulder, upper back or upper arm. The skin also needs to be hairless. You may need to clip hair, but do not shave. What are the common side effects? Hard stools (constipation) Upset stomach (nausea) Throwing up (vomiting) Dizziness Feeling sleepy Headache Sweating a lot
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