actiq patch

I've been on Fentanyl 50 patch and sublingual fentanyl 600micg ( A bit like the Actiq Lollys)10 times a day for 3 years for pain as a result of Cancer and treatment. I now want to come off it by reducing the sublingual fentanyl(Actiq Lollys) first. I am now down to 4 a day over 3 weeks but have suffered sweats ,diarrhoea and anxiety in the process. My Drs supporting me but am I going too quickly ? if I go slower will there be less side effects or will I get the withdrawal symptoms any way?

Actiq is a fentanyl lollipop. It's the same medicine that is in the patch and is no better or worse than any other opiate. It's in lollipop form so it can dispense faster for breakthrough pain and is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. Because of the instant release, it's more attractive to abusers than the patch, which is one reason it's so tightly regulated. There's a place for Actiq in pain management just like any other medication.

The high dose of Actiq was introduced when I had problems with major surgery for a second time I am still currently in withdrawals after a quick 2 month taper from Actiq and fentanyl patch but do not regret my decision. It has however given my Gp and Pain Dr Lots to think about. My drug councillor made me hand all my left over Actiq back to the pharmacy to stop temptation. She was 100% correct in that decision. Fentanyl should only be used in end of life situations.

Hi I have stopped actiq/abstral now day 17 and tapered a 50 patch down to 12mcg/hr and will not replace patch after 3 days. Any suggestions on how to cope. Withdrawals not too bad so far but still have cravings.

Started my taper off these two back last July and am still suffering so much. I cut pain patch in 4 pieces and put on the 1/4 patch piece every 7-10 days. Patch works longer than 7, days just so you know. Docs say change every 7 days but keep it on longer. Maybe 10 days plus. I am down to tiny dosage and am still withdrawing and it is now March- 9 friggin months trying to get off this stuff myself. It is pure hell!! Subutex/buprenorphine is hell to get off of.

I used to be on the patch and a certain brand (looks more like a gel in a pouch, instead of like a nicotine patch) and those would bother my skin and everything. I ended up getting off the patch and switching to actiq, the oral suckers. They helped much better with my abdominal pain, but just to worn you, it's not fun getting off fetanyl if you ever cross that bridge. I'd switch to something else. I just wasn't thrilled with the patches. Good luck.

Hi coming off Actiq and down to 4/ day and decided to stop. Patch to go next, but I will wait a little to see how I go My biggest problem is getting out my bed due to severe lethargy. I am taking vitamin and mineral supplements has anyone any other ideas I may benefit from. I just want my life back. I know I'll be restricted due to all my ill health problems resulting from cancer therapies, I just want more ooph, energy and motivation. Any suggestions please.

You have to just spread out the time in between that you take them. I was also on the Fentanyl patch and was using the Actiq for breakthru pain. Is the Actiq the only thing you are taking? If it is you can ask your doc to switch you to the patch. Then they can go down on the MCG. (amount) on the patch to wean down. The doc cannot make you stay on your meds. That is ludicrous. I do understand them saying you still need the meds right now since you are still having surgeries.

Hi. im on the fentanyl patch and i think it works good and dont give me the realy druged up feeling like a lot of pills. For B/T pain i take norco 10/325 2x3 or 4 a day.

i weened myself off oxycontin in 03 without much withdrawl, but my dr. then placed me on 400 mcg actiq 5 times a day and 30 mg kadian once daily. the kadian never seemed like the problem, i could take it or not, but i could not go without the actiq.i always ran out b4 appt time and so forth. i realized i had a problem so i began to detox myself, and my dental bills were racking up from sucking lolipops all day. my dr. @ my clinic was and is a wonderful dr.

If the patch is not effective, you can also try the Fentanyl lollipops, generic name is Actiq. The medication is absorbed very quickly through your mucosal membranes in your mouth. It works great for breakthru pain. But it is VERY powerful and you have to give yourself time to get used to side effects. Also, this may seem like a no-brainer, but I keep mine locked up in a safe as it is would be very dangerous if a child, or anyone not used to opiates, were to get ahold of them.

I was a nurse for years. I have been on opana and actiq for a few years now. I have passed every test for 3 years on my bi-monthly urine screen. All of a sudden I am showing positive for oxycontin and I have NEVER taken this med. Now I know that actiq,opana,stadol,and oxycontin are synthentic oipioids. Now I have taken a blood test for oxycontin only to make sure this is negative and a true false positive because I do not take this pain med.

The company changed the way they make the patch. I was using the brand name Duragesic welled patch with the gel inside until it became to costly, then I found the Sandoz which was the generic made by basically the same company (J&J owns Sandoz) and it was much cheaper and worked great. Until I get my normal rx and now the fentanyl is made into the adhesive like the Mylan patches. I have experienced increasing pain since the change.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 throat cancer in 2009 and went through chemo and radiation. My doctor put me on Actiq and they worked well. Here I am 4 years later and am still taking 4 or 5 200 strength and 2 400 strength a day. Of course I have become more tolerant over time and it takes more to feel better. I just had to have all my teeth pulled due to radiation affects over time. Now I really don't have that much pain.

However, there are a few patients with chronic non-cancer pain that have been prescribed Actiq (the fentanyl lolipops) or Fentora if and only if all other treatments failed and they are experiencing intractable pain, also known as suicide pain.

I used to be on the patch and they had me up to 100mcg patch every 24hours and I had the Actiq 800mcg pops for bt pain. So you are not on that high of a dose really. W/d's are horrible and I have still gone through them tapering down. I tend to go too fast. It all depends on what's more important to you. Me, I would rather have my pain under control and handle some of the side effects. Especially if I had to work and you still have to function for your family.

However, the new doctor is not registered with TIRF REMS to be able to prescribe Actiq that I have been taking for 9 years. I am post stage 3 breast cancer, double mastectomy, peripheral neuropathy and lymphedema to name a few of my issues not to mention I have tried every opiod on the market and I'm also opiod tolerant. He stated that he is not willing to register and that I need to find a new Doctor who is.

Have been on pain meds for 7 years. Have weaned off all my meds. by myself, this year, excluding Actiq 400. Can I go cold turkey? What is the best way to do this? If I go cold turkey, what kind of side effects can I expect? I do work full time. Am not addicted to these, just want to live without pain meds. Is the pain still there, absolutey. What will I do, haven't gotten there yet. Just know, this is not the life I want any longer.

You could also ask your doctor about liquid or sublingual (dissolves under the tongue) narcotic preparations before going on the patch. For example, Actiq is a fentanyl lollipop that would allow you more control initially as to how much you need and to avoid being overmedicated. All narcotics have their pros and cons so making an informed decision before starting opiate therapy is always a good thing.

I started fentanyl patch few weeks ago at 25mcg then 12mcg patch was added last week. I am STILL having bad pain and "new" pain. I have read some horrible stuff on this medication and am worried about use, I read about liver damage? can you tell me about this? Also have new pain as of 2 days ago, in neck on left side from base of skull that goes down (feels like) around scapula.

I was put on fentanyl patches round the clock and Actiq for breakthrough pain. At the time my insurance company covered it. Shortly before an unrelated insurance company change I received notification that the medication would not be covered anymore. We changed companies and the new company did not cover it either. I am in the appeal process at this time. I just received a denial for the first appeal.

The generic is Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate (OTFC) and the trademark name is Actiq®, manufactured by Cephalon. I would also check to see if your insurance covers them. I wish you the best...

Common Questions and Answers about Actiq patch

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