Butrans Patches
Discussion
Hi
I've been on these for around six months - work very well (apart from the itchyness and the marks on the skin) and allow me back to my work. Recently I've had to up what i'm on from 10 microgram/hour to 15 microgram/hour. This was due, ofcourse, to an increase in pain. i reckon by the end of this year I will have to go back under the knife - but I digress, since going from 10 - 15 the patches have been literally sliding off. They don't stick for more than 48 hours - those on these patches will know they should stay on a week - then change.
I'm having real bother and I'm not keen on calling docs for a repeat perscription when what theyve given me only lasts 10 days tops - when it should do me a month ! I know my gp wants to take me off them - she has only agreed to keep me on them due to my impending wedding and letting the redundancies at my work pass,i.e I don't want to be off ill whilst redundancy issues are ongoing.
Anybody had similar bother with these patches? Any advice? As i say - they stayed on fine until I had to go up in strength. I do all the usual things - if I see them come off a bit at edges I tape them down. Running out of suitable application areas soon to because i have to put new ones on so often - is it safe to put them on waxed areas ? i know not to shave and put them on.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Thanks for those replies - I have never heard of any of these. On my next visit i will enquire about these - I just find it weird the fact that i've only had bother since the doseage went up.
I haven't had anywhere waxed yet and i am not really keen on the idea, only because I'd be warey of further skin irritation - anyone using Butrans knows about the marks they leave - but in my case they are worth it.
Anyway - thank you both again.
I haven't had anywhere waxed yet and i am not really keen on the idea, only because I'd be warey of further skin irritation - anyone using Butrans knows about the marks they leave - but in my case they are worth it.
Anyway - thank you both again.
Thanks for all replies. I'm not sure if the patches i'm on are PI's - just got perscribed them and they have been a real breakthrough in terms of pain relief for me - enabling me to return to work - if only p/t !
I'm still on oral painkillers but I think the patches not sticking as they should may be the reason for this. The patches combined with Pregabalin work for me.
The patches leave me with huge red marks - which then stay with me for weeks, turning very dry and itchy. I assume this is a reaction to the adhesive.
Thanks for all those thoughts all - I shall look into them.
Cheers
I'm still on oral painkillers but I think the patches not sticking as they should may be the reason for this. The patches combined with Pregabalin work for me.
The patches leave me with huge red marks - which then stay with me for weeks, turning very dry and itchy. I assume this is a reaction to the adhesive.
Thanks for all those thoughts all - I shall look into them.
Cheers
OP - you could also try giving the customer service of the manufacturer a call - seems that it is Napp pharmaceuticals in Cambridge. They will know whether other patients are suffering from the same problems and whether it is indeed a product defect or for example your skin getting damaged and wet, thus reducing adhesive power. They may be a bit reluctant talking directly to patients but in that case you could also have them talk to your GP.
The summary of product characteristics (if you don't have it yet - http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/16787/SPC... makes it quite clear that all kinds of local irritation are very common with the stuff, and also that you shouldn't use it any longer than absolutely necessary... what with you being on them for 6+ months, your GP may have a point in being very reluctant to continue letting you have them. After all the active ingredient is an opioid and there are multiple good reasons these things are not prescribed liberally. Even though the possibility for dependency is apparently low you have been using it for a while now and you had to increase dose to retain efficacy - that may be because of your condition worsening of course but again, with stuff like this both patients and GP's need to be careful.
I would be very careful in messing around with other adhesives, tape etc. Before you know you change the absorption rate through the skin (e.g. by covering the patch with something else you could well significantly increase your dose) and that may not be desirable.
If this all sounds quite conservative, it is... best advice is still talk to your GP - or maybe another one - but that carries the risk of them taking you off the stuff - probably for good reasons.
The summary of product characteristics (if you don't have it yet - http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/16787/SPC... makes it quite clear that all kinds of local irritation are very common with the stuff, and also that you shouldn't use it any longer than absolutely necessary... what with you being on them for 6+ months, your GP may have a point in being very reluctant to continue letting you have them. After all the active ingredient is an opioid and there are multiple good reasons these things are not prescribed liberally. Even though the possibility for dependency is apparently low you have been using it for a while now and you had to increase dose to retain efficacy - that may be because of your condition worsening of course but again, with stuff like this both patients and GP's need to be careful.
I would be very careful in messing around with other adhesives, tape etc. Before you know you change the absorption rate through the skin (e.g. by covering the patch with something else you could well significantly increase your dose) and that may not be desirable.
If this all sounds quite conservative, it is... best advice is still talk to your GP - or maybe another one - but that carries the risk of them taking you off the stuff - probably for good reasons.
mmertens said:
OP - you could also try giving the customer service of the manufacturer a call - seems that it is Napp pharmaceuticals in Cambridge. They will know whether other patients are suffering from the same problems and whether it is indeed a product defect or for example your skin getting damaged and wet, thus reducing adhesive power. They may be a bit reluctant talking directly to patients but in that case you could also have them talk to your GP.
The summary of product characteristics (if you don't have it yet - http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/16787/SPC... makes it quite clear that all kinds of local irritation are very common with the stuff, and also that you shouldn't use it any longer than absolutely necessary... what with you being on them for 6+ months, your GP may have a point in being very reluctant to continue letting you have them. After all the active ingredient is an opioid and there are multiple good reasons these things are not prescribed liberally. Even though the possibility for dependency is apparently low you have been using it for a while now and you had to increase dose to retain efficacy - that may be because of your condition worsening of course but again, with stuff like this both patients and GP's need to be careful.
I would be very careful in messing around with other adhesives, tape etc. Before you know you change the absorption rate through the skin (e.g. by covering the patch with something else you could well significantly increase your dose) and that may not be desirable.
If this all sounds quite conservative, it is... best advice is still talk to your GP - or maybe another one - but that carries the risk of them taking you off the stuff - probably for good reasons.
Thanks for all that. I do want off the stuff - but I have a wedding in August and have to reapply for my job in the next 2/3 weeks - only reasons I want to be kept on them. Without these patches i would hadrly be able to walk - only solution to the problem is another operation. This would be my third and from what my consultant says a lot longer recovery time. having been off 2 years out the last four I'm reluctant with the work issues to come off ill at the moment - I appreciate the advice about the opioid's. I hate the dam things - been on lot of variations of these over the years and can't wait when the day comes I'm drug free. Coming off the things is also full of problems - I really just want my wedding/honeymoon done - then I can have the operation and ,hopefully, be drug and patch free !The summary of product characteristics (if you don't have it yet - http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/16787/SPC... makes it quite clear that all kinds of local irritation are very common with the stuff, and also that you shouldn't use it any longer than absolutely necessary... what with you being on them for 6+ months, your GP may have a point in being very reluctant to continue letting you have them. After all the active ingredient is an opioid and there are multiple good reasons these things are not prescribed liberally. Even though the possibility for dependency is apparently low you have been using it for a while now and you had to increase dose to retain efficacy - that may be because of your condition worsening of course but again, with stuff like this both patients and GP's need to be careful.
I would be very careful in messing around with other adhesives, tape etc. Before you know you change the absorption rate through the skin (e.g. by covering the patch with something else you could well significantly increase your dose) and that may not be desirable.
If this all sounds quite conservative, it is... best advice is still talk to your GP - or maybe another one - but that carries the risk of them taking you off the stuff - probably for good reasons.
I'll have a read over that link - from what I know the only thing that may affect absorption rate is temp - i.e hot tubs etc are to be avoided. So far on these patches the only crap side effects have been the skin irritation. probably due to me getting used to drugs over the years but body doesn't seem to react too badly to them. I agree though i , over everyone, don't want dependancy issues to arise. Generally I don't feel they are a problem at the minute - but then would I know if they were?! I only take the oral drugs as and when - not every four hours.
Anyway - I appreciate your reply and advice - read over that link later.
Cheers
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