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Has anyone changed brands of Fentanyl/Duragesic pain patches and seen a difference??

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Chronic Pain
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Posted 8/17/2007 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I was wondering if anyone has changed brands of pain patches. I am currently on the generic brand made by Mylan. I am hoping it will level out and begin to work better for me but so far I am still not where I need to be...even on two 25mcg/hr patches. I have read & was told by the people at Mylan that the Duragesic patches & Mylan's Fentanyl patches actually work a little differently in how they dispense the medication. (and this can affect how well the patches stick to your body) for example, in Mylan's generic patches there is medication actually in the adhesive and they say that’s why many people have trouble with getting that brand to stick. Has anyone had any experience with this?? I was wondering if I should have my doctor write for the brand name Duragesic patches next time I get a script to see if it makes a difference. I would really really appreciate it if anyone has any feedback on this. Thanks!
Posted 8/17/2007 7:01 PM (GMT 0)

Hi OTP

I'm sorry you are having trouble getting the right pain meds, it sometimes takes awhile and can get very fustrating.

I was on the pain patches for about a year, I was on the Duragesic, one day I went to pick them up and the pharmacy gave me the generic. She said the insurance won't cover the name brand anymore unless there is a problem.

I used one generic patch and could tell the difference right away, it didn't stick and made my arm swell up. Also I was getting no pain relief.

My doctor had to fill out a special form for me to take the name brand. When I went back to the name brand(duragesic) it was much better. I am not on the patch now but am using the liquid form for break thru with my oxy and so far so good.

good luck!!!

Krista

Posted 8/17/2007 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
Krista, Thanks so much for your reply. I am going to have my doctor write the script for the name brand next time to see if it makes any difference. I have already left a message for our benefits person to find out what I will have to do RE: my insurance tog et the brand instead of the generic. When you were on the patch did you find that it took a little while for the meds to build up in your system for you to get the full relief? I am hoping this will happen and I'll get some better relief soon. I have been doing the pain management dance for at least 5 years now and yes, it can be daunting!! It's a constant search for the right meds. My doctor swears the pain in my sholder blade area & right below if from the fibro but I am not convinced. I asked for an MRI of that area but he said no....so I am going to get a script from another doctor b/c I jsut want to be sure nothing else is going on. The majoirty of the pain symtom part of my Fibro has been relieved by the Lyrica I am taking so if this was part of the Fibro I would think it would be hlped by that also but who knows. Thanks again for the info!!
Posted 8/18/2007 11:39 AM (GMT 0)

Hi OTP

Thats a good idea to get a new script and get the doc to write (no subatutions)sp. The pharmacists told me to tell the doc to make sure he puts that on the script, I'm in Canada so I'm not sure if it works the same way there.

My pain specialist told me it takes about 6 hours after you apply the patch for me to start and get relief. I found it took a couple of days to really notice it was working. The doctor suggested until I start to feel the patch working to use 1 or 2  extra break thru(which was percocet) and than take break thru as I was before.

I hope you start to feel relief soon if you don't I would contact your doctor, its fustrating when the doctor says "give it more time" we know our bodies and whether its working or not!

Good luck and let m know how you are doing..

Krista

Posted 9/17/2007 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry it has taken me so long to answer this post.I am on the name brand pain patches.I use the Duragesic 50mcg and they are Janssen brand.I know where you are coming from.The first time I was on then it was the name brand because at the time there was no generic.I did have problems with making them stick so I used tap to keep them on and it worked fine.Well I had asked to be taken off of them because I felt that my pain was getting better and did not need them any longer.So this time my insurance would not pay for the name brand so I had to use the generic and let me tell you I had nothing but trouble with them not only would they not stick to my skin so I taped them down and they were litterly eating my skin and I showed this to my pain dioc and she called mt insurance and told them that I had crohns and it was a must that I have these,so they agreed to let me go back to name brand.Since being back on these I am having no problems.
Posted 9/17/2007 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on the name brand patches for a few weeks now and I definately notice some differences. This patch definately stay better but I do still have to tape it down. I got the plastic coverings from the manufacturer and they are ok but when I get in the shower its starts to come off and wrinkle at the edges. The medical tape seems to work the best but it so unsightly. I don't like how much bigger the name brand patches are but thats just a cosmetic thing. So far things seem to be good.
Posted 9/18/2007 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Try the Sandoz brand generic--they are identical to the name brand--even made in the same factory etc--they are larger than the Mylan--which I tried and are worthless to me--I now order the Sandoz a few days ahead of time, so the pharmacy has them in stock and only have to pay for the generic co-pay--as I said --Identical--even packaging with exception of name.  My brother is a chemist and worked at the factory where both are produced (Jansson and Sandoz)--they come off the same line--If cost is an issue--Sandoz is the way to go--I have been on the 100Mcg for several years now--When I tried the Mylan, I thought I must have gotten a bad batch or something--totally worthless to me--I know you will be pleasantly surprised if you try the Sandoz--Good Luck--Roger
Posted 9/18/2007 2:37 AM (GMT 0)

Have you all found nausea to be a problem while on duragesic patches? I have had a rough time...especially the first full day in. I get nauseated and feel hot, like a pass out/vomit sensation waves through my body....

Anyone have this?

Posted 9/18/2007 10:19 AM (GMT 0)
I never had the nausea, but have heard that it is fairly common--My biggest side-effect was night sweats--wake up and t-shirt is soaked through--still happens--and constipation is always on my mind--take steps to avoid it--usual over the counter stuff--senna tea, Miralax, Milk of magnesia etc.--Other than that, they have been a blessing--All the best--Roger
Posted 9/18/2007 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
The only time I seem to have nausea issues is when my body heats up.....I can tell when I've been outside too long b/c I start getting nauseas (sp?) and dizzy. I have been having some major issues with nausea for the past week but I don't think it's from the patch, I think I must have caught a bug or something. When I was taking pain pills instead of the patch I was having bad constipation but that has ceased since starting the patch...surprizngly. I don't really know how I feel about the patch, I do feel better than I did when taking the pills, the pain is definately less, but it's still not where I want it to be. I know I am not going to be pain free but I still don't feel like I am at the level of functioning that I want. I am SO SO SO SO SO tired of this pain affecting everything I do. It's like, If I don't do anything I am fine and the pain is tolerable. But as soon as I clean for 20 minutes or go do something else it spikes again. ARRRGH! So frustrating lol! As for the money part, right now thats not an issue b/c of the insurance I have but I will be going to a new job soon so that is certainly good info to have about those other generic patches - thanks Roger.
Posted 9/18/2007 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what strength patch you are on, but they come in 12.5,25, 50, 75, and 100Mcg--maybe just get the next size up?  I have found that my upper arm works the best--I alternate arms with each change and I do also tape the sides with Johnson&Johnson 1" heavy duty waterproof tape--Do not have a problem anymore with them sticking even in the shower--sometimes a little bit on the third day--I think it must be more difficult for women to hide the patch depending on what they wear, but I have learned on another forum that directly under the breast works well for some women--difficult to see and good pain relief.  Have a good day!-Roger
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