Norspan
Norspan patch is a strong pain medicine used for moderate to severe long-lasting pain.
Form
depotlaastari
Strength
25 mikrog/tunti
Active Ingredient
Buprenorphine
Manufacturer
Mundipharma Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Apply one Norspan patch to your skin and change it every seven days, preferably at the same time each day.
Method
Apply the patch to a clean, dry, non-irritated skin area on the outer arm, upper chest, upper back, or side. Avoid red, irritated, or broken skin. Do not use soap, lotions, or oils on the application site.
Important
Do not use more than two patches at the same time; the maximum dose is 40 micrograms per hour.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache, dizziness, drowsiness
- •Constipation, nausea or vomiting
- •Skin itching
- •Rash, redness, itching, inflammation, or swelling at the application site
RARE
- •Loss of appetite
- •Feeling confused, sad (depressed), worried (anxious), having trouble sleeping, feeling nervous, shaking
- •Shortness of breath
- •Stomach pain or discomfort, diarrhea, indigestion, dry mouth
- •Sweating, rash, changes in skin appearance
- •Feeling tired, unusually weak, muscle weakness, swelling in hands, ankles, or feet
- •Feeling restless or agitated, extreme happiness, seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations), nightmares, decreased sex drive, aggression
- •Changes in taste, difficulty speaking, reduced sensation to pain or touch, tingling or numbness
- •Memory problems, migraine, fainting, difficulty concentrating or coordinating movements
- •Dry eyes, blurry vision
- •Ringing or buzzing in the ears, feeling dizzy or spinning (vertigo)
- •High or low blood pressure, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
- •Cough, hiccups, wheezing (noisy breathing)
- •Gas
- •Weight loss
- •Dry skin
- •Muscle spasms, pain, or aches
- •Difficulty urinating, not being able to empty the bladder completely
- •Fever
- •Increased number of accidents (e.g., falls)
- •Withdrawal symptoms (e.g., agitation, anxiety, sweating, or chills) when stopping Norspan treatment
- •Mental or mood changes
- •Balance problems
- •Swelling of eyelids or face, narrowed pupils
- •Worsening asthma or very strong breathing
- •Dizziness, especially when standing up
- •Difficulty swallowing
- •Local allergic reaction with clear signs of swelling (treatment should be stopped)
- •Swelling and irritation in the nose
- •Weakened erection, sexual problems
- •Flu-like illness
- •Skin redness
- •Dehydration
- •Muscle twitching
- •Ear pain
- •Blisters (on skin, not just application site)
- •Sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep)
- •Seizures
- •Inflammation of the bowel wall (symptoms: fever, vomiting, stomach ache)
- •Increased sensitivity to pain
- •Colic-like stomach pain or discomfort
- •Feeling of being detached from yourself
- •Withdrawal symptoms in babies born to mothers who used Norspan during pregnancy (e.g., high-pitched crying, irritability, shaking, feeding problems, sweating, not gaining weight)
- •Needing to use higher doses of this medicine to get the same pain relief (tolerance)
- •Contact dermatitis (skin rash with inflammation and possible stinging), skin color changes
Important Warnings
- Do not use if you are allergic to buprenorphine or any other ingredient in the patch.
- Do not use if you have severe breathing problems.
- Tell your doctor if you have drug dependence or if you have used MAO inhibitor medicines in the last two weeks.
- Tell your doctor if you have myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakness disease) or if you have had withdrawal symptoms after stopping alcohol.
- Tell your doctor if you are being treated with antidepressants, as this can lead to a serious condition.
Show 7 more warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have seizures, sleep apnea, headache from a head injury, dizziness, or severe liver problems.
- Tell your doctor if you or a family member have ever misused alcohol, medicines, or drugs.
- Do not use Norspan patches if you are under 18 years old.
- Do not use Norspan patches to treat drug withdrawal symptoms.
- Avoid alcohol with Norspan patches as it can worsen side effects.
- Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel dizzy or sleepy while using the patches or for 24 hours after removing them.
- Do not use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, unless advised by your doctor.