Durogesic
Durogesic patches contain fentanyl, a strong opioid, to help relieve very strong and long-lasting pain.
How to Use
Dosage
Each patch has enough medicine for 3 days (72 hours). Your doctor will tell you the right dose.
Method
Apply the patch to a clean, dry, flat area of your upper body or arm. For children, always use the upper back so they cannot reach it. Change the patch every three days, always removing the old one first and applying the new one at the same time of day.
Do not use more patches or a stronger dose than your doctor has prescribed. One patch is meant to work for 3 days.
Possible Side Effects
- •Feeling sick (nausea), throwing up (vomiting), constipation.
- •Feeling sleepy or tired.
- •Dizziness, headache.
- •Dry mouth.
- •Sweating more than usual.
- •Itching, skin rash, or redness where the patch is.
- •Feeling confused or seeing/hearing things that are not there (hallucinations).
- •Blurred vision.
- •Slow heartbeat or low blood pressure.
- •Bluish skin (sign of low oxygen).
- •Fever.
- •Muscle twitching or spasms.
- •Difficulty swallowing.
- •Small pupils (black center of the eye).
- •Temporary stops in breathing during sleep (sleep apnea).
Important Warnings
- Durogesic is a strong medicine. It can be very dangerous for people who do not regularly take strong pain medicines (opioids) or for children. Even used patches are still dangerous if a child sticks it on their skin or puts it in their mouth, and can cause death.
- Only apply the patch to the skin of the person it was prescribed for. If a patch accidentally sticks to another person's skin, remove it immediately and call a doctor right away. It can cause serious breathing problems that can be deadly.
- Do not expose the patch to direct heat (like heating pads, hot water bottles, sunbathing, saunas, hot baths/showers, or hot tubs). Heat can make the patch release too much medicine into your body.
- This medicine contains fentanyl, an opioid, which can cause dependence and addiction. Using it repeatedly can lead to a life-threatening overdose. Talk to your doctor if you are worried about dependence.
- If you or someone else notices extreme sleepiness or very slow, shallow breathing in the person wearing the patch, remove the patch immediately and get urgent medical help. These are signs of a severe reaction.
Show 1 more warnings
- Seek urgent medical help if you notice sudden swelling of the face or throat, severe skin irritation, redness, or blistering. These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Use in Elderly Patients
Avoid use in older adults. Sedative. Serotonergic. Intended for the treatment of cancer pain. Not suitable for initiating opioid medication. Low transdermal efficacy in cachectic patients. Increases the risk of confusion and falling. Need for laxative is often necessary. Consider potential significant interactions. (updated 24.3.2025)