Getting Off Fentanyl

On june 29, 2009 my doctor upped
my Fentanyl from 50mcgs to 100mcgs. I applied one patch and had a reaction simaliar to an overdose. I immediately put back on a 50mcg patch and have been reducing the dose ever since. I am now down to 6.5mcgs or there about, I have been cutting Mylan brand patches in half, the quarters
etc., I have been at this dose since the 10th of July. I really don't want to stick another one of these things on me, so does everyone think I've got it down low enough to come off this stuff? Thanks for your help. I do have ativan and percoset if needed.

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REPORT

After doing exactly as I described in my message on the 14th. I am happy to report I am totally off the fentanyl patch totally since the 14th
Stepping down in doseage as discribed worked like a charm. I must say that this medication was
awhole lot easier to get off of then
oxycontin.

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I have to say though, that we cannot condone you or anyone else cutting these patches, that is actually a very bad idea. The patches are specially designed to slowly release the medication, by cutting the patch, you totally defeat that and release all the medication into your body at once.

This is a very potent medication and doing this can be very dangerous and is potentially fatal. I'm glad it worked for you, but I want the warning to be here for others.

If you need to get off of a medication, please consult with your doctor and follow their advice, do not try to do it on your own.

Fentanyl is commonly sold under the brand name Duragesic, this is a very potent narcotic, over 80 times stronger than Morphine.

Common side effects may include: nausea, drowsiness, headache and constipation.

You can read more about it here:

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Fentanyl/­

Did you have any questions?

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Ask your doctor if you can be put on the sucker form of the medication. It works great and its fast acting / suckers are used mostly for break through pain. Also cutting the patch is not the way to go it will only put the med into your body faster maybe too fast. If you have a good Doc he will help you out if your goal is to lower dose.

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Hi Delta 33, i was told by two doctors that the Mylan brand could be cut in half. I have now been totally off fentanyl since July 14th with no problems. I truly didn't like Fentanyl and would have remained on oxycontin except my ins co would not pay for the brand name after the generic was pulled. I now manage on a couple of Percoset per day. thanks for your concern.
Sharon

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It is NOT safe to cut these patches, they are time released and cutting them in half could result in your receiving too much of the medication at once, resulting in and overdose.

Many doctors are not aware of the details on these types of things and you should really consult a pharmacist who is, before doing so.

That said, I am glad however, that you suffered no ill effects and were able to cut your medication dosages so effectively.

Does anyone have any questions?

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Sharon appears to be correct. There are two types of fentanyl patches, matrix and gel. Mylan is a matrix type, Duragesic is gel. The gel patches can not be cut and do endanger the patient due to potential to deliver all the dose in a rush.

After six hours of searching and reading, most sources indicate (although only individuals tend to recommend - with one exception, a national health service bulletin from Britain) that matrix type patches can indeed be cut safely since the fentanyl is evenly distributed and _fixed_ into the patch material.

Matrix type patches are manufactured in sheets and then cut to size, further indicating the even and fixed nature of the distribution of fentanyl.

All that said, obviously anything you do with a med not specifically specified by a doctor is taking some risk. Most people have said it works well and they've used it to control dose and to do so while stepping down to be completely rid of them.

The only people I've seen that say matrix type patches cannot be cut appear to be people who are understandably covering their professional asses against legal repercussions.

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I know these r old post, but people l e still read them.
So..... t h ere r 2 types of patches to you new pain patients.
One has gel in it, that would COULD kill you by cutting it.
Don't cut the gel filled patches.
The other style of this patch, is called the matrix design.
It like a piece if plastic.
Very thin, almost like paper.
It is completely dry.
No gel AT ALL IN THEM.
These r the ones that drs. R saying you can cut, for the most part safely.
However t h e manufacturer says that you may still not get an even dose.
Like one side COULD have a bit more medicine in it, while the other side would have a bit less.
Or it could be exactly the same.
When you cut them, each piece is more than likely the same strength.
The medicine is spread equally.
But they won't last as long as putting on a whole patch.
I use 100 mcg patches , matrix type
I cut mine in half, wear one half for 24 hours, then after 24 hours, I put on the other half, AGSIN for 24 hours.
Your supposed to put on the whole patch at once and they should last for 72 hours.
When I put on a whole patch, my body just seems to use all of it with in 30-36 hours.. Period.
My drs has written them up for 48 hours instead of 72 hours.
So cutting it in half and wearing EACH for 24 hours, works perfectly for me, and my doctor.
Every body is different.
This medicine CAN be deadly.
It's made for people that really need round the clock pain relief.
Don't use other peeps patches, if you run out of your pills one day.
This is a whole different type of medication.
Do n t play around with it.
Don't cut gel patches. Ever.
You can cut matrix, but only at direction of Dr.
Be careful.
It's a really effective pain medication
But it takes a long time to kick in.
Take care all.

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Thank you Sharon for this info.. I too want to get off 25mg of Fentanyl.. Can you tell me how to do it with a Mylan brand?.. Also I'm going to tell my PM DR. .. To lower them to 12.5mg... I have severe back pain.. But I prefer to take Advil.. Than to continue on this dangerous drug... I also take endocet 10/325.. & I take klonopin for anxiety... Plz.. HELP!!! I want out of all these meds as well.. Thank you.. & GOD BLESS TO EVERYONE!! Be safe

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