duragesic fentanyl transdermal system

What is the most important information I should know about fentanyl topical?
• Fentanyl topical should not be used to treat acute or post-operativepain duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Fentanyl topical is used to treat chronic pain duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Fentanyl may cause drowsiness or fatigue duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. If you experience drowsinessor fatigue, avoid these activities duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Also avoid alcohol, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Fentanyl topical can also cause constipation duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Drink plenty of water (sixto eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Increasing the amountof fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Never use more fentanyl than is prescribed for you duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. If your pain is notbeing adequately treated, talk to your doctor duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

What is fentanyl topical?
• Fentanyl is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. It relievespain duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Fentanyl topical patches are used to treat chronic pain that cannot becontrolled by less potent pain relievers duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Fentanyl topical may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using fentanyl topical?
• Fentanyl topical should not be used to treat acute or post-operativepain duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Fentanyl topical is used to treat chronic pain duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Fentanyl is habit forming and should be used under close medical supervision duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have
· kidney disease;
· liver disease;
· asthma;
· urinary retention;
· an enlarged prostate;
· hypothyroidism;
· seizures or epilepsy;
· gallbladder disease;
· a head injury; or
· Addison's disease duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• You may not be able to use fentanyl topical, or you may require a lowerdose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditionslisted above duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Fentanyl is in the FDA pregnancy category C duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. This means that it is notknown whether fentanyl will harm an unborn baby duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. This medication may cause addictionand withdrawal symptoms in an unborn baby duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Do not use fentanyl topical withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Fentanyl may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a nursinginfant duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Do not use fentanyl topical without first talking to your doctor ifyou are breast-feeding a baby duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Fentanyl topical patches are not approved for use by children youngerthan 12 years of age or by children younger than 18 years of age who weigh lessthan 50 kg (110 lbs) duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• If you are older than 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experienceside effects from fentanyl therapy duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. A lower dose or special monitoring may benecessary duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

How should I use fentanyl topical?
• Use fentanyl topical exactly as directed by your doctor duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. If you do notunderstand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Apply the patch to a flat, dry, area such as the chest, back, side, orupper arm duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Any hair on the application site should be clipped short but notshaved duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Avoid areas that are irritated or otherwise damaged duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• If the application site must be washed before the patch is applied, useclear water only duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Do not use soaps, oils, lotions, alcohol, or other chemicals duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Washing with these substances could change how much of the drug gets absorbedthrough the skin, which could be dangerous duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Allow the skin to dry completelybefore applying the patch duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Apply the patch as directed duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Press the patch firmly with the palm ofyour hand for 30 seconds making sure that the patch is sticking, especiallyaround the edges duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Each patch is worn for 72 hours duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• After removing the patch, press the sticky side to itself and disposeof the system in the toilet duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. If another patch is required, apply it to a differentskin site duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Do not cut or otherwise damage the patch, and do not apply any patchthat has been cut or damaged duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Never use more of this medication than is prescribed for you duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Too muchfentanyl could be very harmful duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Increase the amount of fiber and water in your diet to prevent constipation duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Do not share this medication with anyone else duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Keep it out of the reachof children and pets duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Store fentanyl topical at room temperature away from moisture and heat duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Do not use a double doseof this medication duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Wait the prescribed amount of time before applying yournext patch duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Symptoms of a fentanyl overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness,weakness, loss of consciousness or coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammyskin, and small pupils duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

What should I avoid while using fentanyl topical?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Fentanyl may cause drowsiness or fatigue duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. If you experience drowsinessor fatigue, avoid these activities duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Avoid alcohol while using fentanyl topical duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Alcohol will greatly increasethe drowsiness and dizziness caused by fentanyl and could be dangerous duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Avoid becoming overheated or applying direct heat such as a heating padto the area where you have a patch duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Increased temperature can increase the amountof drug you absorb through your skin and may cause harmful effects duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

What are the possible side effects of fentanyl topical?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop usingfentanyl topical and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· slow, weak breathing;
· seizures;
· cold, clammy skin;
· severe weakness or dizziness; or
· unconsciousness duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Continueto use fentanyl topical and talk to your doctor if you experience
· constipation;
· dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
· dizziness or lightheadedness;
· drowsiness or fatigue;
· muscle twitches;
· sweating;
· itching;
· decreased urination; or
· decreased sex drive duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Fentanyl is habit forming duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Do not stop using it suddenly duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

What other drugs will affect fentanyl topical?
• Fentanyl topical may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness,including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treatinsomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Tellyour doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicineunless your doctor approves duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with fentanyl topical duragesic fentanyl transdermal system. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-countermedicines duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about fentanyl topical writtenfor health professionals that you may read duragesic fentanyl transdermal system.

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