DURAGESIC-100 Reviews (FENTANYL)Average Rating: 3.9 (148 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare DURAGESIC-100 with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
|
Results are sorted by Date added. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on DURAGESIC-100: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR DURAGESIC-100 | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 5 | Fractured spine - burst L4 | Reduced appetite, occasional insomnia upon initial application, reduced effectiveness upon day 3 of patch life | After a 35 foot/5 storey fall upon concrete, I smashed myself up pretty badly and was initially given IV morphine while in hospital (1 month) and then Oxycontin the first 3 months of my 6 month stay at a rehab' centre before moving onto Duragesic 50 mcg, which was a MASSIVE improvement by the 2nd day..best thing the Doc's ever did for me!! I could never expect life to be perfect after smashing myself so terribly but Duragesic is FAR better than any other analgesic I've tried. Over time, I've progressed to 75, and recently 100 mcg as one of the discs has worsened and more pain relief has been required but no increase in side effects!! | M | 38 | 3.5 years 100 1X day | 1/18/2012 | 5 | Generalized internal chronic RSD | Nausea, vomiting, tiredness | I tried over 60 various medications to control the intense chronic pain caused by my generalized internal chronic RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy). Only strong extended release narcotic painkillers work for me. The one that works best for me is Duragesic (brand name fentanyl patches made by Janssen Pharmaceutica). Generic fentanyl patches do not work as well for me, if at all, and cause me much worse side effects. I can say without the shadow of a doubt that Duragesic patches gave me back my life, that is, they gave me a life worth being called a life. Thanks to the Duragesic patches, I can now work. I can also do the activities I enjoy most: sky diving, horseback riding (especially circus type), water skiing, rock climbing, mountain hiking, etc. I can never thank Janssen Pharmaceutica enough for making these wonderful fentanyl patches. The only negative point is the very high cost of the patches, for patients whose medical insurance will not cover fentanyl patches and for uninsured patients. | F | 37 | 9 years 125 mcg 1X O | 11/25/2011 | 4 | Lupus pain, Fibromyalgia | Reduced appetite, sweating, mild nausea | I use the generic, mylan brand fentanyl patch. I prefer this to the duragesic patch which gave me some skin irritation. Mylan sticks better and does not irritate my skin. I am so glad for this long lasting patch that gives me continuous relief for several days. I prefer it to popping oxicodone every few hours. Other pain meds caused way more ups and downs and fatigue than the patch. I feel almost normal, pain is not gone, but much reduced. Without this, its was excruciating. I can lead an active life as opposed to being bedridden with pain. Just wish it wasn't so expensive. Fortunately my insurance has been covering the cost. I would give it 5 stars if sweating wasn't an issue and if it didn't cost so much, and if it was easier to get off of. Once you start this drug, it is extremely hard to get off of because the withdrawals are so severe. So I try to stay on the lowest dose I can tolerate. | F | 53 | 8 years 175mcg 1X O | 9/7/2011 | 4 | Failed back surgeries | I also am suffering from severe nerve pain and have been given methadone for that. Duragesic is the only medication that works for me and I like it due in part to a past addiction to codeine. With a patch and the fear of ODing on Duragesic it is the best method for me. | I change patches every 48hrs and I have now been on the 75mgc for so long on the second day I am feeling withdrawal symptoms of constant tiredness. | M | 59 | 7 years 75mg 1X day | 8/7/2011 | 4 | Severe back/leg pain,failed surgery | Severe skin irritation (scaring) when used below the belly button/pelvis area. Withdrawl symptoms on the 3rd day)-flu like feeling (not everytime). | I was in an auto accident almost 4yrs ago and have had severe back and leg pain ever since. I have had 5 back surgeries-laminectomy (failed), spinal chord stimulator implanted, battery changed, stimulator removed and a spinal fusion/stabalization. Nothing has worked!!! I have of course tried every narcotic and non-narcotic pain med out there! I started the duragesic patch about a year ago and I think it does take the edge off the pain and it doesn't make me feel "loopy". | F | 34 | 1 years 200mcg 1X O | 4/14/2011 | 4 | Failed fusion | M | 34 | 14 days 25 1X day | 3/17/2011 | 5 | Complex Regional Pain Syndrome | dry mouth, occasional withdrawal symptoms, fatigue, constipation, initial skin rashes on application site | Has the potential to move you from constant intense pain and hopelessness to managed pain levels that are livable. I don't know if it is possible to get to a zero level of pain with it, perhaps because I am resistant to take more than I do. The patches do not last for 3 days for me. I take them every 2 days and try to alternate changing (sets of) patches so that I change one or more patches each day. This means: at a dose of 200 ug/h, use 100 patches. Put on patch A - 100 on day 1; put on B - 100 on day 2. On day 3 replace A with a new patch C - 100. This keeps the dosage more consistent. At 175 it works fine with A-75 and B-100, etc. Variation of temperature can cause withdrawal symptoms for me, which is frustrating. The initial skin irritation was addressed by spraying a corticosteroid inhaler on the skin in the application area, then letting it dry before applying the patch, for the first several months of use. Dental issues are a problem for long-term use, as is constipation. | F | 34 | 6 years 125-225 1X O | 12/31/2010 | 5 | Broken back. spinal cysts, CPS | Skin irritation (esp. w/ new SANDOZ patches), constipation, occasional mood swings, occasional nausea, slight "loopy" sensation rarely | The SANDOZ branded fentanyl patches are now made by ALBA (a division of Johnson & Johnson), and as of March 2009 (the copyright date on the packaging), stopped using a gel reservoir with a porous membrane covering the reservoir in its high-dose patches (by 2010, SANDOZ eliminated gel reservoirs in ALL of its fentanyl patches). Instead, SANDOZ (like competitor Mylan) uses a matrix of Fentanyl in strands that melt with body heat. The matrix is covered with polyacrylate adhesive and backed with a VERY thin polyester/ethyl vinyl acetate covering My body does not react well to these new patches; I get nausea (not uncommon; some studies show that up to 10% of people on ANY high-dose narcotics will develop nausea during product use) and my skin gets so irritated I can watch it pinken through the semi-opaque covering. Pain doc is attempting to reduce my overall fentanyl usage (thus, adding a box of 50 mcg/h in with the regular 75 mcg/h to facilitate switching from high to low). I'm still having great success w/ the patch, though--nothing keeps pain at bay like it. | F | 47 | 3 years 50-75 mcg 1X O | 10/31/2010 | 5 | severe fibromyalgia, rheumatoid art | constipation, sweating, weight gain-I take 100 mg every three days. Take tylenol, ibuprofen for breakthrough, it's not that bad. | Gave me a life back. Battled pain from severe fibromyalgia, rheumaoid arthritis, 3 herniated discs, lups-I had just about had it with doctors and medications prescribed. I was in so much pain, my quality of life was nil. This gave me my life back, yes, with a few changes, but all I could handle. I did end up having all my teeth extracted and was told the patch was a factor in that but hey, I got dentures and all is well. If you take this drug as directed it is a life save. If you mess with it, it can kill you. A | F | 59 | 4 years 100 mg 1X O | 6/16/2010 | 4 | Back pain, rib cage nerve damage | Slightly spacey feeling on 100mcg patch,but just about cut all my pain. Cut back to 75mcg and I think clearly now but some pain has returned. | I was on morphine sulfate for a couple of years, total of 90mg a day. This did little to help, made me a little nauseous. Doc switch me to duragesic patch starting at 50 mcg for 6 days then to 100mcg. The 100mcg along with 15mg morphine sulfate for break through pain. This got rid of 80% of pain and did not even need morphine. Two weeks ago I cut back to 75mcg patch, I could not think clearly. Ok on 75mcg although I'm getting about 50% reduction in pain. | M | 59 | 3 months 1X O | 5/4/2010 | 5 | Chronic pain from nerve damage | A little tiredness and I have noticed my memory is not as sharp as it was sometimes-these side effects are NOTHING compared to other narcotic meds I have tried through the yrs and I have tried them all!! | This medicine has been a miracle for me and I am amazed that it is not prescribed more often for people who have severe and chronic pain. It is so amazing not to deal w/ the constant withdrawal/ups and downs of oxycontin,vicodin,and other more commonly presribed meds. Morphine gave me terrible migraines and restless legs as it would wear off and it made me sooo tired. These patches give a steady stream of med. that if used properly,prevent you from ever having to deal with all that agony. It also gives me better pain relief than any other med w/o any real side effects besides a little memory issue which could have more to do w/ my insomnia which is unrelated to this med.I have also only had to up my dose once in 4 yrs and that was because my condition worsened not because the drug became less effective. So, talk to your dr. if you have chronic pain....people who have died or od'ed from Fentanyl have misused it - people don't die from using it correctly. | F | 46 | 4 years 50mg 1X O | 4/6/2010 | 2 | nerve damage, bulging disc,multi | patch crinckles and tried to peel off..fixed that...a little sleepy first day.....no effects at all now, 69 hours later. | I have had lumbar epidural's, physical therapy,tenz unit and more for severe muscle spasms in back, severe pain in right leg for 8 months after minor surgery. Been on Loritab 10 mg x4, Lyrica,75mg x3 Demerol 50 mg x4, Norco 10mg x 4,and now Percedan 4.35x6 and tinazidine 4mg x9 and now the 25mg patch. So far its only been 72 hours but I feel 0 relief from the patch. It's on my forarm and I keep it in place with bandages in an X over the patch. I am hoping my doctor will bump me up to 50mg tomorrow....I am sooooo sick of the pain. My quality of life sucks. I was working full time and walking 3 miles a day before this happened. It was supposed to be a simple surgery and back to work the next day.....that was in August 09. Do the 50's work without doping you up? I have a 10yr old to take care of. As for that person drinking the medicine...good luck and God be with you cause one of these times you are not gonna come out of it. This stuff is no game. Can anyone tell me what happens if I change the patch a few hours shy of 72 hours? | F | 44 | 3 days 25 mcg 1X O | 3/29/2010 | 5 | chronic pain, spinal tumors | mild constipation, skin irritation from patch adhesive, mood swings | This medication is a lifesaver, literally. I was ready to commit suicide because I could not stop the pain I was having from tumors on my spine and severe fibromyalgia. I was first given it after a car accident, and within an hour after the patch was put on, I felt something I hadn't felt in YEARS: Pain-Free. It's not a perfect drug--it does cause constipation, the adhesive is a skin irritant, and my moods tend to swing up as the medicine gets absorbed and down as the dose runs out--and if you stop taking it suddenly, you WILL go into opiate withdrawal, no question. But if you're a chronic pain sufferer who can't get relief no matter how many high-dose narcotic pills you take, ask your doctor about the fentanyl 3-day patch (the generic name for Duragesic). One patch can change your life...at least, it did for me. | F | 47 | 2 years 50 mcg 1X O | 3/7/2010 | 5 | Fibro, herniated discs, neuralgias | mild constipation, skin irritation with Duragesic brand when worn above waist | This medicine literally saved my life. Before it I was in such severe, constant pain that I was actually seriously considering suicide. I had zero quality of life. This medication allowed me to be functional again and although I am far from being pain-free, my quality of life is pretty good. I am on disability but am able to have a life now. I would highly recommend this medication to anyone with long-term, severe chronic pain not getting relief from other pain meds. I change my patch every 48 hours because on the third day it seemed like the drug was wearing off and I was needing lots of breakthrough pain meds. (Many Medicare Part D plans pay for up to 15 or 16 patches a month so ask your insurance carrier if you have the same issue). I am now on minimal breakthrough pain meds. I have been at the same dose for 6 1/2 years and have been able to avoid increasing the dosage by using alternative therapies along with the patch. I have found that the Mylan brand, being a smaller patch, causes less skin irritation than Duragesic, especially when worn on the very lower back/top of buttock area where less pulling occurs with movement. Although the manufacturer tells you that you should wear it above the waist, this is only because they only studied it there, but I had no decrease in effectiveness wearing it on my lower back or upper buttock area. The patches also stay on much better for me there, with no need for tape or overlays. | F | 34 | 7 years 75 mcg 1X O | 2/26/2010 | 1 | Disc and nerve pain | Tried this drug as was in horrendous pain and was stepping down from morphine following flare up with back apin and nerve pain. Vivid nasty nightmares, couldn't sleep, was then tired in the day, felt really sick. Slowly dropped dose to discontinus as couldn't tolerate side effects any longer and felt tearful and suicidal, was so depressed could hardly function. Tokk 2 attempts to stop this drug. | It doesn't suit everyone and I am one of those !!! | F | 35 | 3 weeks | 1/27/2010 | 5 | spinal pain | I forgot to add something on my previous post. I use the Mylan patches. Get "Tegaderm" covers. Nothing can get these off with the Tegaderm. It works 100% in holding them on and intact. 100 showers and they wouldn't come off. | F | 62 | 2 months | 1/26/2010 | 5 | C6- C7 T1 spine pain | some nausea when first changing and putting on new patches. | This has also been a literal lifesaver for me. I also was about at the stage of suicide from intractable pain, ( back, and chest ) for 5 months. If you can imagine how horrible and disconserting it is to have chest pain 24/7 for months, and literally not be able to do for yourself. Oral opiates just were awful, made me sick, didn't last, or just didn't work. At first I was very leery of starting the patch, ( I am an RN ) but it got to a point where I was desperate for relief. Best thing I ever did. It gave me back my life. I have also just had my second cervical epidural with some relief but not enough, unfortunately. | F | 62 | 2 months | 1/26/2010 | 4 | DDD, L5, perm nerve dmg in one leg | Nausea, constipation, tiredness | I have been on 50 mcg for at least 5 yrs. Without it I'd be on disability. Drug enables me to work and have a life most of the time. Some patch change days I am very nauseous to the point of having to stay in bed all day. Next day I'm fine. I have 5 mg oxycodone for breakthrough but seldom use. Also taking Lyrica, helps w/ the nerve pain in the leg & arm but gained too much weight! I lost weight on Duragesic. The Mylan generic is best, the name brand or the other generic increase the nausea. I can swim, but have to watch exposure to sun & heat or too much medicine will be released @ one time. This medicine made me able to walk on my own w/o using a cane constantly. (Bc of nerve dmg in leg/foot still have to look down & walk carefully). All in all a good drug, if one must be on an opioid. | F | 50 | 5 years | 9/15/2009 | 5 | Severe spinal pain after car crash | Addictive. Constipation. Difficulty reading (weird eye strain feeling). Mild insomnia. Get help with the withdrawal when/if you discontinue use. Except for the withdrawal issues all the side effects while using were totally manageable. | This drug was a miracle for me. After a bad car accident I tried to avoid spine surgery for 3 years. The patch was life saving for me. My pain was so bad I was suicidal and none of the "traditional" painkillers worked for me. I had to change the patch after 48 hours -- I could not go for 3 days as it would wear off too quickly and the third day was agony. Tell your doctor if you think this is happening to you. When I did finally stop using the patch I went off cold turkey, on my own, and I do not recommend that. The withdrawal was awful and like torture so I highly recommend asking for your doctor's help. The best part about the Duragesic patch was that it doesn't make you feel high. You can function and think and have emotions, etc... And at the correct dose, it will take away your pain to a manageable level. I'm very petite and could never tolerate more than 50 mcg so I needed to take other meds for break through pain -- but so what? The patch, while I needed it, gave me back my life. | F | 34 | 3 years | 3/19/2009 | 2 | Chronic Pain L4-5 surgery, DDD, OA | Somewhat severe constipation. Anxiousness that at a higher dose became unbearable. Uneven release of the drug from the patch. | I've been on this drug two different times. The first time we went up to 75mg and that is where I experienced the horrible anxiety. The second time, a different MD due to a temporary move, prescribed it incorrectly and I finally asked him to take me off of it. At that time I found that the generic patch stayed on better and the drug released more evenly. I never, either time, could go three days with one patch, always only two. I also found that certain conditions such as warmer weather, physical exertion, caused the drug to release faster. Like most of this type of drug you really should decrease slowly but I found it difficult to go from 25mg to nothing without feeling quite sick. The first time I was on this drug was for 9 months. The second time was less than 2 months. The second time the MD incorrectly prescribed it along with MS Contin and as he increased it I had depressed breathing and heavy sleepiness and I KNEW something was very wrong. | F | 51 | 2 times | 2/8/2009 |