Prescription pain-relief patches are available to manage both acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) pain. A pain-relief patch is placed on the skin and a specific amount of medication is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Healthcare providers may prescribe different types of pain-relief patches depending on the patient’s medical history and level of pain. Examples of prescription pain-relief patches include:
Flector (diclofenac epolamine): A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Lidoderm (lidocaine): A local anesthetic
Duragesic (fentanyl): An opioid pain medication
Uses
Pain-relief patches are prescribed by healthcare providers for patients with various medical conditions.
For minor injuries, such as muscle sprains and strains, a healthcare provider may prescribe a patch with diclofenac epolamine, an NSAID in the same group of medicines as aspirin and ibuprofen. Also known by the brand name Flector, it can be applied near the area of pain if there’s no broken or damaged skin.
In 2010, a study found that the diclofenac pain patch was associated with significant pain relief for soft-tissue injuries like strains, sprains, and bruises with few adverse effects.
Lidocaine, also known by the brand name Lidoderm, is available in a prescription pain-relief patch. It’s often prescribed for patients suffering from the pain of shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), which can last for months or years after an infection.
Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that works by stopping nerves from sending pain signals. The topical lidocaine 5% patch starts acting quickly, usually in less than four hours, and is generally well-tolerated, other than mild skin reactions at the application site.
For severe, chronic pain, healthcare providers may prescribe fentanyl patches, also known by the brand name Duragesic. Fentanyl patches should be used only by patients who can tolerate opioids and those with long-term, severe pain who can’t be treated with other medications.4
A 2018 study found that fentanyl patches were as effective as oral morphine in managing moderate to severe cancer pain with fewer side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
Before Taking
Prescription pain-relief patches may be prescribed for patients who are unable to take drugs orally because of stomach irritation or other conditions.
Precautions and Contraindications
Before using a prescription pain-relief patch, talk with your healthcare provider about any allergies you have and if you’re taking any other medications or supplements. Also tell your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Some drugs may be safer for you to use than others depending on your medical history and the cause of your pain. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the pros and cons of a medication, including its ability to manage pain and the risk of side effects.
Because fentanyl is a strong opioid, it can be addictive. As such, tell your healthcare provider if you or anyone in your family has abused alcohol, street drugs, or prescription medications, or if you have ever had depression or another mental illness.
Fentanyl patches should only be used by patients who have previously taken and tolerated opioid medications.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have asthma or any condition with slowed breathing, as you may be advised not to use fentanyl patches.4 Also tell your healthcare provider if you’ve ever had lung disease, a head injury, or any condition that increases pressure in your brain.
Dosage
All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturers. Check your prescription and talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you’re taking the right dose for you.
For the Flector patch with 1.3% diclofenac epolamine, the manufacturer’s recommended dose is one patch applied to the most painful area twice a day.
The Lidoderm patch with 5% lidocaine is applied once a day to the painful area for up to 12 hours. Check with your healthcare provider on the number of patches that can be used at once.
The fentanyl patch is typically applied to the skin once every 72 hours. Your healthcare provider may start you on a low dose of fentanyl and gradually increase it, if needed.
How to Take and Store
The adhesive side of the transdermal patch is placed firmly on the skin per label and healthcare provider instructions. Never place a patch in an area for which it is not prescribed, and never use more than one patch at a time unless approved by your healthcare provider.
Patients should wash their hands before and after touching a patch to avoid contaminating the drug and to keep the drug from being applied to an unsafe area such as the eyes or mouth.
Pain-relief patches should only be used on skin that is not broken, cut, or scraped. Do not use a pain-relief patch that has been cut, torn,
or damaged unless directed to do so by your healthcare provider.
Store all pain patches at room temperature and away from excess heat. Like all medicines, pain-relief patches should also be stored away from children and pets. The best way to dispose of a patch is to fold it in half so the adhesive side sticks to itself. A used patch should be thrown away where children and pets won’t come into contact with it.
Fentanyl Overdose Warnings
Using a fentanyl patch that has been cut or damaged may cause you to receive the medication too quickly, rather than slowly over time, and could lead to overdose or death.
Heat can increase the dose of fentanyl delivered by the patch, which can have the same consequences. While the patch can be worn while bathing, avoid long, hot showers and baths. Likewise, avoid hot tubs, electric blankets, and heating pads.
Side Effects
Prescription pain patches may have side effects depending on the type used. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about what symptoms should warrant discontinuing the medication or seeking medical attention. If you are using a fentanyl patch, your healthcare provider will closely monitor you during treatment to check for any serious side effects.
Common Side Effects
In some cases, a patch can cause minor irritation, redness, blisters, or a burning sensation where it is applied. These symptoms are usually minor and go away within a few hours. Check with your healthcare provider if symptoms are severe or don’t go away.
Severe Side Effects
Severe side effects are associated with the different types of patches.
NSAID Patches
NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke as well as bleeding in the stomach or elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Seek medical attention if you have shortness of breath, slurred speech, nausea, weakness, diarrhea, yellow skin or eyes, indigestion, stomach pain, vomiting blood, blood in bowel movement, or swelling.6
Lidocaine Patches
Side effects from the lidocaine patch may include allergic reactions, such as hives, skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, swelling, hoarseness, fast pulse, fast breathing, unusual thirst, nausea, vomiting, confusion, weakness, dizziness, or fainting.
Symptoms of an overdose can include lightheadedness, nervousness, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, twitching or shaking, seizures, slow heartbeat, or loss of consciousness.
Fentanyl Patches
The fentanyl patch can cause severe side effects such as changes in heartbeat, agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, confusion, severe muscle stiffness or twitching, seizures, hives, swelling, hoarseness, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
While you are using fentanyl patches, you may be told to have a rescue medication called naloxone available in case of overdose. Symptoms of an overdose include difficulty breathing, extreme sleepiness, difficulty talking, trouble with walking, small eye pupils, faintness, dizziness, confusion, and coma (loss of consciousness).4
If you experience any severe side effects or signs of an overdose from any medication, remove the patch and call 911.
Post time: Mar-23-2022