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Has anyone used the new "Flector" patches?

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Posted 5/22/2008 10:53 AM (GMT 0)
I have been taking ~2400 mg of Ibuprofen on a daily basis for over six years now, and my doctor just called in another annual re-fill of the 800mg pills for me. They are wanting to explore other options, though, as they are concerned about the long-term effects on my kidneys. I also have prescription narcotics which I take on a regular basis, but they don't want to increase those either of course. Anyhow, the pharmacist showed me Flector patches today. He said they are brand new, but they are 12-hour patches which are supposed to be placed on the area where the pain is and they deliver an NSAID through the skin. He told me they are not likely to completely replace the oral NSAID b/c they are rather low dose, but he thought perhaps it might enable me to reduce the oral med by nearly half per day, and the patch med would not go through my kidneys like the oral does.

I'm guessing they are super expensive since they are new (so no generic), so I hate to try them without some indication that they would really help. Have any of you tried them? Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Ry
Posted 5/22/2008 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ry!

I've never heard of these patches but will check them out. Thanks for posting about them. Hopefully someone has tried them and will share.

Hugs,
Chutzie

ps...here's a link with information about the Flector patch and a $15 coupon to download.
http://www.flectorpatch.com/
Posted 5/22/2008 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds very interesting. I have the Lidoderm patches, also 12 hr on 12 hr off, on my neck and it work very well.
Posted 5/22/2008 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Chutz and Muzz. I did try the Lidoderm patches too, but they gave me no relief whatsoever. Zip. Zero. That's what makes me a bit wary of spending the big $ (I still can't find any info on how much they charge for the Flector patches, but I'm guessing it's lots) on these. I did download that coupon, though. Thanks, Chutz! yeah I wonder, since it's new maybe the doctor's office would have samples...

On that site it says that the active med in the patches is diclofenac (Voltaren), which sounds familiar but I don't remember when I took it so I don't recall how it worked for me. It says you get 180 mg of diclofenac from the patch (worn over 12 hours), but I don't know what an average dose of the oral stuff is, so that doesn't mean a whole lot to me.

Thanks again for replying. I'll let you know if I do try them, and I'm still hoping maybe someone else here has tried them too. :-)

Ry
Posted 5/22/2008 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
ry, found this by Googleing price of Flector patches and found this on a message board:

(quote)I have been using the Flector patch aprox. two weeks now. It seems to work the only problem I have is that it doesnt STICK ! I have to use tape ... I also have used an ACE bandage to keep it on. I have wrapped the patch around my arm and then use an ace bandage to hold in place. I figure the medicine is getting in my body The problem is that the patch is suppose to stick where you are pain and thats when the tape comes in... I am on WC . My pharm. said these patches cost aprox $300 !!(unquote)

ry, evidently this person has ins. and the cost w/o ins is $300. Seems kinds steep to me but I do know that the Lidoderm patches are $250/month if we had to pay out of pocket.

Posted 5/22/2008 9:17 PM (GMT 0)
Oy! Thanks, Muzz. I do have insurance, but on brand names they usually charge me anywhere from $50 to $100 per month before the insurance kicks in. I shouldn't complain since I know some people don't even have that much coverage, but it just irritates me! The pharmaceutical companies need to make a profit to do research, I know, but it just seems like there should be some way to make the prices more reasonable! eyes

Okay, I'll stop whining! Thanks so much for the info. I think I'm going to ask my doc for a sample. Can't hurt to try! :-)

Ry
Posted 5/23/2008 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
ry, I couldn't agree more, it's a downright sin, the profits that the drug co. make. I used to work for a doc and the reps would bring in tons of samples so u know they are making big $ to be able to give meds away. I do see commercials stating that certain drug co. are helping folks who can afford their meds...I say, it's about time! I feel so very blessed to have good insurance.

Posted 9/2/2009 11:50 PM (GMT 0)

Have been using Flector patches for four months now, pretty much 2 daily, for a large herniated disk in my neck.  Using the Flector has allowed me to stop taking Flexeril muscle relaxant. 

I still use Aleve from time to time, especially if I do something dumb like lifting something I shouldn't, but most of the time I manage with just the Flector.  Before getting the Flector patches, I spent several months on Flexeril TID with a couple of ibuprophen q6.  Have spent about 7 months in physical therapy, on and off.  The exercises are really a big part of staying ahead of the pain.

OK, why not just do the Aleve instead of paying for Flector?  Because I get wicked acid and stomach pain if I use Aleve for too long, even being careful to take it with food.  That's the beauty of the Flector.  I have no stomach issues using the patch.

Obviously, I do recommend it.

Posted 6/29/2010 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I have tried them, for the first time this week.  I endure fibromyalgia, spinal arthritis, IBS, degenerative disc disease, and some other things.  I wish the patches were made as whole body bags to take care of my whole body!  But they are fabulous for area application.  I cut two 1"x1" square and applied to my lower back, sciatic area near the spine.  The patch lowered my sciatic pain, including deep-reaching pain into my left gut area, so that I could function well for the day.  I really like them.  I plan to try them on my neck next.  Whatever is intolerable for the day will get a small patch.
Posted 6/30/2010 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I was given a couple of flector patches last year when I had a severe muscle spasm in my neck and shoulder and couldn't turn my head, but I don't remember what strength it was. It did seem to help.
Posted 7/1/2010 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Ive tried them, they work for a limited time and reduce the pain somewhat but I got them for free from my DR to try them, I hear they are quite expensive, and yes I did have some difficulty with them sticking if I were sitting and standing alot. I have to place them on my center lumbar area and they roll alot. If your insurance covers them, they are worth it for minimul pain relief but the deep aching throb that I have hurts thru it.
Posted 2/26/2011 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently on Flector Patch 1.3% and they are very expensive. Even with my co-pay insurance, I had to contribute $90.00 dollars. I suffer from chronic nerve pain in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and tailbone region and honestly, the patches do not work for me. Not only that, they don't adhere well. They come off as soon as you apply them. You have to get surgical tape to keep them in place. Perhaps your doctor has samples he can give you so you can try them out first. Hope you feel better, be well.
Posted 2/26/2011 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
For Medicare Drugs Flector Patch should be:

Mail-order pharmacy
30-day supply†
Quantity†: 1 package(s)
Total medication cost: $148.97
$148.97
$4.96/day $74.48

Retail pharmacy*
34-day supply†
Quantity†: 2 package(s)
Total medication cost: $330.80
$90.00
$2.64/day


That's too much for me, although I would love to try them! I don't tolerate NSAIDS well and Lidoderm patches don't help at all with degenerative discs, radiculopathy, etc. Vicodin doesn't even help much. Heating pad is better than nothing, but I can't sit around on the couch all day. Tramadol helps me best, mainly because it raises serotonin and makes me happier even though there is still level 6 or more pain.
Posted 2/27/2011 1:16 AM (GMT 0)
HEY THERE, the flector patch is way too much $ for a drud that has been out since 1973. Diclofenac is one of the more potent NSAIDS but the same with the main side effect; GI problems, peptic ulcer (due to it's COX-1 inhibition). A great newer medication is Arthrotec, it is 50-75mg diclofenac/200mcg misoprostol(Cytotec). misoprostol is a postaglandin analog which is a agent that reverses diclofenac's GI effects. it is on the pricey side but the positives are: diclofenac is potent and effectve, you can go to the higher end of the dose range by taking the 50/200mcg three times per day giving you 150mg of diclofenac and 600mcg of misoprostol, if it was the 75/200mcg two times per day then you only get 400mcg of the GI protector. if you don't want to pay the higher price for Arthrotec you can get each drug seperately in generic. Relafen and Mobic have helped me some but not much, (relafen better than mobic to me). Naprosyn has helped me but got my stomach in the long run. the NSAID Clinoril (sulindac) is worth looking into. H2 blockers like Zantac or Pepcid or PPI'S (proton pump inhibitors) like Prilosec can be used to treat/prevent GI issues.
Posted 2/27/2011 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
I am currently using the Flector patch. Never heard of it before and since I am on WC for insurance, they pay for the whole thing. Thank god! Okay so in my opinion if your expecting this patch to work for DD, herniation or anything that is real deep I don't recommend it IMHO. But it has worked to help keep my muscle spasms down a bit, along with my usual Baclofen for muscle spasms.

But, if WC didn't cover them.....I wouldn't use them at all. 45 bucks is a lot of money when its pay check to pay check month.

Hugsss

Scarred
Posted 5/27/2011 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
Ry, my doctor just now put me on them today.  I told him that the lubiderm patches did not work for me and he said these two patches are like night and day.  He put me on a weeks worth of samples and he did say that if it works for me, he can give me a prescription in a pill form that is on the $4 list at Walmart.  This is something you might want to look into. 
Posted 5/27/2011 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
 

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Posted 5/28/2011 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings, I cant speak on anything other than Voltren that may not be spelled correctly but I am to lazy and tired to get up and look.  Just wanted to say my dr gave me a sample of voltren gel for my hands, fingers as they are at the start of arthritis.  It worked like a charm, I couldnt believe it.  I am so happy, as I cannot tolerate any NSAIDS due to severe stomach problems.  Even meds like Advil,etc cant take even on a full stomach.

So good luck, you may ask about the gel, instead of the patch, many it costs less.  Also if you are disabled and on Medicare, look carefully at your choices for pharmacy.  I have had the same company from the beginning, and they are great.  The cost is minimal for the co-pay, and If you qualify for extra help, which I did, I dont pay anything like a deductable. 

Again good luck, hope you are feeling better and your wallet does not take a beating. tongue

Posted 5/31/2012 5:33 AM (GMT 0)

I was using Flector patch but I sweat so much I could hardly keep on so they perscribed Volteren Gel

I was floored when I read the side effects list on the Gel, so I looked at the side effects on the patchs  they gave me and the side effects are the same so I freaked and am scared to use either one. I think I can live with back pain from a screwed up spinal fusion. To each his own, I think I'll just take pain meds

Posted 8/4/2012 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
YES! I've been using Flector Patches for Chronic Back Pain for almost a year, but my system can tolerate NSAID's, like Ibuprofen and Advil, with no major issues. I also take IB-800 and Lidoderm Patches. Both patches have unique functions, Lidoderm for Pain and Flector of inflammation. For me, the Flector provides more relief than Lidoderm. Both patches can have a tough time staying stuck on, especially if you sweat a lot. The fix for that is to use a flexable and breathable first aid tape like (Johnson & Johnson RED CROSS® All Purpose Clear Tape), it will prevent the patch from coming off even if you are sweating. My Doc has me prescribed for up to (3) Flector patches per day. Flector has a DISCOUNT coupon that's good for all of 2012, you can fill out the online info and it will let you print-out the coupon on the spot. It is only for (up to $30 per month), for me that brings my co-pay down to $20 per month. Here is the URL if you need it: https://www.flectorpatch.com/Download-Coupon.aspx
I hope this helps you! Good luck and hang in there, these patches are a great alternative to oral pain meds. however, without some type of insurance, these can cost way too much, (up to $11 per patch), so I'm told.

Post Edited (D.Scott) : 8/4/2012 7:51:56 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/4/2012 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
My Pain specialist handed me a few free samples and it did help a bit. Unfortunately for me, I had a hard time trying to keep it on since my pain is in my thigh, but it's nice since it doesn't burn your stomach like Advil does.
Posted 8/4/2012 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
That's the same way I became aware of Flector, Free Samples. It helps to be creative when placing the patch on, don't stretch it or it comes off quick. I discovered by placing in on very loose, then using breathable tape on all four corners (looks like a big X), it seems to be the best way to make them stick on for several hours and usually overnight while sleeping. My Main Doctor nor the Neurosurgen will prescribe anything more than Tramadol (not much better than an aspirin), because they are all to worried about getting on some stupid DEA watch list, but they are all too willing to send you to a "Pain Management Center", which in our area translates to "Pill Doc". I would NOT wish my chronic pain on ANY human on this planet, "Except" my doctors! They should experience the pain we do first hand, at least for a few months so they can gain insight and prospective on what it really feels like to have chronic pain. If they did suffer as we do, I think they would be far less worried about a DEA list and more focused on helping us manage our pain without trying to shuffle us out the the "Pill Docs". Just to make it fair, maybe everyone in the chain should have to endure the same pain (law makers, law enforcement agents, medical personnel, etc), I bet that would bring about change in a hurry. Please don't get me wrong, I know prescription drug abuse is a real problem, but I don't think anyone has come up with an effective filtering/screening process yet, to tell the abusers apart from the genuine sufferers... Maybe someday soon, I hope.

Post Edited (D.Scott) : 8/4/2012 7:45:26 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/4/2012 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
Never have heard of or used Flector patches, will have to look into that.

The Advil part concerned me, that is a lot of Advil the one poster was talking about. I learned something new about Advil recently from both my oncologist and my phamracist. I have severe radiation damage in my bladder, bladder neck, and surrounding areas, including my prostate bed. This was caused from faulty radiation administration 2 1/2 years ago, and is why I suffer from severe chronic pain.

My oncologisit has forbid me to use Advil entirely. Come to find out, that if you damaged internal flesh, either from surgery or radiation in my case, that Advil can cause further damage, that can not be repaired. That was a shock to me to learn that.

Fortunately, I don't like Advil. It's not capable of cutting my pain, and it always gives me a stomach ache, even a single tablet or two of the OTC strength. So its not loss to me to not to be able to use it.

Just something to think about, if you pain is as the result of some kind of surgical or radiation damage.

david
Posted 8/4/2012 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Just FYI but the original poster, ryand, started this thread in 2008...So I think they are keeping it open since it has valuable info....but didn't want anyone to take time writing to them specifically as they haven't been around in a long time.

And David...but if you can't take Advil...then you can't do the Flector patch as it is a NSAID, just like Ibuprofen.

Raptured Planet...the Flector patches actually upset my stomach so much more than Advil does for some reason...So I have to take TUMS and a full meal when I use them.
Posted 8/5/2012 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
snow, i wasnt interested in me using the Flector Patch, I had never heard of it, and was trying to learn more my own education.

d.scott - your's was an excellent post in so many ways. if anyone outside out world of true CP every had to live even a single day in our bodies, there would be a whole different look and attitude towards those of us that suffer so much daily. it's easy to make rules and laws and regulations about something, that few if any of them have any concept of what true, chronic pain is really all about.

why should we that suffer, have to be lumped in with doctor shoppers and drug seekers and all the other types of drug abusers. my QOL is poor now with the ailments I have, and I have zero chance of any of ever getting better, but if I were facing this much pain without the prescription pain meds, I can no longer comprehend what my life would be like. Mostly have to stay in bed the bulk of the time, but there are days, even lying down, holding perfectly still, the pain can be throbbing. you know what you were talking about, my friend

david in sc
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