Duragesic
(fentanyl)
●●●●●
4.2/ 5 average rating with 84 reviewsforfentanyl
Skip to: drug prices sectionSkip to: what to expect sectionSkip to: side effects sectionSkip to: risks and warnings sectionSkip to: common concerns from users and pharmacists
Treats severe pain.
Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
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Prescription opioids are used to treat several kinds of pain - but they carry significant risks, including addiction. Learn more about these drugs and be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor.
Our bottom line
Duragesic (fentanyl) is an excellent pain reliever, but should only be used by people who've tried other opioid pain medications and still need more relief.
Quick facts about fentanyl
- Drug class: Pain
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (fentanyl)
Upsides
- Duragesic (fentanyl) is stronger than morphine, works quickly, and doesn't cause as many stomach problems.
- It's available in many dosage forms, including a patch, injection, film, nasal spray, and lollipop.
- The Duragesic (fentanyl) patch provides long-term pain relief and lowers the number of times you need to take pain medications each day.
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What to expect from fentanyl, on one page
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84Downsides
- Duragesic (fentanyl) isn't for everyone. It's a really strong pain medication and taking too much can be deadly.
- The patch doesn't provide quick pain relief.
- Often causes drowsiness and constipation. If taking long-term, use a stool softener.
- Shouldn't be used by people with breathing problems (like asthma and COPD), a slow heart rate, or are elderly.
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What to expect from fentanyl, on one page
Download Fact SheetHow it works
Duragesic (fentanyl) is an opioid (narcotic) medication that works in the brain to lower pain perception.
Quick facts about fentanyl
- Drug class: Pain
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (fentanyl)
Dosage forms
- Patch
- Dissolving tablet
- Mouth spray
- Lozenge
- Buccal tablet
- Nasal spray
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.Prices and coupons for 30 (200mcg) lozenges of fentanyl near
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See more prices and coupons in your areaWhat to expect when you take Duragesic (fentanyl) for Severe pain
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Full effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
Side effect rates for Duragesic (fentanyl)
From 254 clinical trials of fentanyl when taken for chronic pain
- Vomiting34%34%
- Nausea24%24%
- Dizziness17%17%
- Drowsiness17%17%
- Headache16%16%
- Constipation13%13%
- Diarrhea13%13%
- Itchy skin13%13%
- Vomiting12%12%
- Headache12%12%
- Diarrhea10%10%
- Weakness9%9%
- Abdominal pain9%9%
- Headache6%6%
- Difficulty sleeping6%6%
- Rash6%6%
- Swelling in the limbs5%5%
- Drowsiness5%5%
- Constipation4%4%
- Confusion4%4%
- Difficulty breathing4%4%
- Upper abdominal pain4%4%
- Loss of appetite4%4%
- Anxiety4%4%
- Abdominal pain3%3%
- Tremor3%3%
- Anxiety3%3%
- Hypersensitivity3%3%
- Urinary retention3%3%
- Sweating3%3%
- Rash3%3%
- Accidental injury2%2%
- Abnormal gait2%2%
- Dry mouth2%2%
- Nervousness2%2%
- Dilation of blood vessels2%2%
- Itchy skin2%2%
- Rash2%2%
- Sweating2%2%
- Abnormal vision2%2%
- Burning/pricking sensation2%2%
- Confusional state2%2%
- Dry mouth2%2%
- Fatigue2%2%
- Muscle spasms2%2%
- Dizziness2%2%
- Tremor2%2%
- Depression2%2%
- Hallucination2%2%
0%
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40%
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80%
Where we got our data »
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of fentanyl.
Duragesic (fentanyl)
Placebo
People taking fentanyl felt side effect more
People taking fentanyl felt side effect less
No difference
Risks and Warnings for Duragesic (fentanyl)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Taking other medicines that interact with Duragesic (fentanyl)
- › Age 65 or greater
- › Taking benzodiazepines, other opioids, and/or alcohol
- › Asthma or COPD
Taking too much Duragesic (fentanyl) can cause irregular or slow breathing that can put you in a coma and cause death. Your risk is greater if you drink alcohol, take other opioid medications, or take benzodiazepines. If you have asthma or COPD, taking Duragesic (fentanyl) is generally not recommended. If you start to feel like you can't breathe or your lips and fingers are turning blue, go to a hospital immediately. Many drugs interact with Duragesic (fentanyl) and affect its levels in your blood, including some antibiotics, HIV medications, and anti-seizure medications. Always check with your doctor before starting or stopping any new medications or supplements.
This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.
Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect
Common concerns from people taking Duragesic (fentanyl)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Alcohol
- Never drink alcohol when using Duragesic (fentanyl).
Pain
- For pain, the patch takes 12 hours to start working and all other forms start working in 30 minutes or less.
- Duragesic (fentanyl) isn't for everyone. It's a really strong pain medication and taking too much can be deadly.
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed fentanylon 4/19/2017Make sure that you have your pain under control before using the patch: try to schedule on evenings before re-patching. then shower,dry well, wipe off( w/Alcohol) large area to apply the patch , then pressure HARD for 30 seconds .Place a 3"x4"Tegaderm skin patch over it, to make sure it stays stuck through the next 72 hours. Go to Amazon to see the offers on a roll of 4"x 396"(11yards) .My rolls cost about 33$. single box of 10 Tegaderm patches 3.5" X 4" was 10$63ManContinued pain after other treatments
- Not sureSome hassleReviewed fentanylon 12/27/2016I used 25s for pain control after having back surgery. I had a terrible time keeping it on my skin. 3 days was too long for it to stay sticky enough plus the package material says not to use any kind of tape to keep it on. It said to use tegederm to keep it on and what I was told those are expensive. The whole time I had to use the dilaudid for break through pain. I felt like the patches just did not work for the trouble it caused while in pain.40WomanCancer pain
- Worth itLow hassleReviewed fentanylMajor Full body Nerve pain, In beginning 50mcg 72h w Oxycodone 10MG as needed for BT. After 5yrs BT GONE!! Only 50mcg 48h only kept BT's just in case needed 10yrs now 50mcg 48h CANCELED by PC BY Directive.52ManTwo years or moreLong-term nerve pain (severe)
Sleep
- Can make you sleepy and dizzy. Avoid driving or other activities that require alertness until you know how Duragesic (fentanyl) affects you.
- Often causes drowsiness and constipation. If taking long-term, use a stool softener.
- Not worth itBig hassleReviewed fentanylon 2/20/2017It made me sleep the whole time I was on it . Nasty med. for me.64WomanLong-term pain (severe)