Fentanyl Citrate?

Hey Lexi,

I've been on oral fentanyl off/on (mostly on) for about 6+ years.

There are fentanyl lollipops, lozenges, etc. Brand names: Actiq, Fentora, etc. I've been on all, but I'm currently on the lollipops.

They come in strengths from 200mcg up to 1600mcg. Most start at the 200 to 400 range. Obviously, the lower that you can stay and it work, the better.

To answer your questions:

Pain relief takes comes within 5 to 10 minutes...... I'd says peaks at the 45 minute mark and - for me - lasts a couple of hours. But (again for me) - sometimes that's all I need to break the pain cycle.

For others, they may last longer. But you definitely don't feel the pain relief for 6 hours say. That's never been my experience. It's a quick onset med..... but it also leaves rather quickly as well.

Yes, that's how I use the med too. I get "x" number per month - but I use them all over the place. Sometimes, 1x per day. On a bad pain days - sometimes up to 3x per day.

I've always used them with a LA med. In fact, don't quote me on this (and I'm just too tired to look it up right now) - but it used to say on the website and packaging that you needed to be on the equivalent of 60mg or more of morphine (meaning that you are not opiod naive) to use the med. That may have changed..... I don't know.

Other thoughts:

--They are hard to get covered by insurance and definitely you need a pre-auth. But if you've checked that out - that's half the battle.

--As with all meds - they aren't for everyone. It's a strong medication. But you've been on fentanyl before - so that's good...... But imagine getting fentanyl "all at once". Just something to be aware of...... and, again, def not for all with CP issues.

Let me know your thoughts or if you have other questions. I'm happy to answer them. The only thing - from what you wrote that concerns me - if you are getting continuous nausea/vomiting from the patches, you might still have that with the oral fentanyl too. There are meds (like zofran and phenergan to combat that...... but that can lead to a vicious cycle, too - I've been there, I know, lol!).

--Tina

Fentanyl citrate is just oral fentanyl.... so if they say that they are covering that, most likely it would cover all forms.

There's Actiq (or it's generic, that's what I use) - that's the lollipop (yes on a stick). There's Fentora - this is a buccal tablet that "fizzes" on the side of your mouth.... I've used that, but I just prefer the lollipop version.

With the lollipop - yes you can use a portion, half, whatever - and then SAVE the rest. It can be saved and reused whenever. It's not "sticky" like you would think of, like candy. It's a hard sucker form. It takes like raspberry.

With Fentora, because it "fizzes" away in your mouth - you basically have to use the whole portion (I can't remember if you can break the tablet before you put it in your mouth.....I haven't used it in 5 years).

I hear your thinking about the whole med issue....... and I think it makes perfect sense.

Take care Lexi....... if you come up with more questions, please just ask :)

--Tina

No, girl - don't throw it out EVER - haha......... that's like throwing gold away, lol. Especially considering how much the darn things cost. I worked the cost out for mine.... and they come out at about $20/per dose.
Yikes

It really sounds like this might be an answer for you? especially with how you describe your pain.

Hang in there Lexi.... and let us know what happens with your doc.

--Tina