Durogesic (Fentanyl)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Durogesic Used For?
Durogesic contains fentanyl, a strong opioid pain reliever that works by blocking the nerves that recognize pain messages from your body.
Primary Uses
Durogesic is used for long-term management of severe pain that requires daily, around-the-clock pain relief when other treatment options cannot effectively manage your pain or you cannot tolerate them. It is only prescribed for people who have previously been using other opioid-based pain medications. It is not used for occasional pain or pain following surgery.
How It Works
Each patch is applied to your skin every three days and releases a continuous amount of fentanyl that is absorbed through the skin into your bloodstream, providing steady pain relief.
Important: Durogesic should only be used when your doctor decides that other treatment options cannot effectively manage your pain or you cannot tolerate them.
How to Take Durogesic
Durogesic comes in five different patch strengths. Your doctor will determine which patch or combination of patches is right for controlling your pain, using the lowest effective strength.
Dosage Instructions
Apply the patch to clean, dry, non-irritated skin on a flat surface of your upper body or upper arms. Change your patch every 3 days (72 hours) at the same time of day. The first patch may take up to a day to take full effect. Always remove the old patch before applying a new one. Do not apply to the same spot twice in a row, areas that move a lot, or damaged skin.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you forget to apply a patch and are not sure what to do, check with your doctor or pharmacist. If you have trouble remembering when to apply each patch, ask your pharmacist for reminders.
Important: Never use more than one patch at a time unless your doctor specifically authorizes it. Always wash your hands with clean water after handling the patch.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Sweating
- Weakness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Slow, shallow, unusual, or stopped breathing
- Severe drowsiness or unconsciousness
- Slow or weak heartbeat
- Convulsions or seizures
- Signs of serotonin syndrome (confusion, restlessness, fever, fast heart rate)
- Signs of hormonal changes (unexpected breast milk, loss of menstrual periods, enlarged breasts in men, decreased sex drive)
- Signs of adrenal problems (severe nausea, vomiting, extreme tiredness, dizziness, low blood pressure)
Important Warnings
Durogesic carries serious risks including life-threatening breathing problems, addiction potential, and dangerous interactions with other medications.
Who Should Not Take Durogesic
Do not use Durogesic if you are allergic to fentanyl or any ingredients, for acute pain or pain following surgery, for mild or intermittent pain, at starting doses greater than 25 micrograms/hour, if you have lung conditions or breathing difficulties, or if you have never used opioid pain medications before.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, lung or breathing difficulties, sleep apnea, heart problems, brain tumor or head injury, digestive problems like bowel blockage, immune system problems, or history of substance abuse or mental illness.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Durogesic should not be used during childbirth as it can slow the newborn’s breathing. Prolonged use during pregnancy can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in newborns. Do not use while breastfeeding as the medication passes into breast milk.
Life-threatening respiratory depression: Durogesic can cause life-threatening or fatal breathing difficulties even when used as recommended. Risk is higher when starting treatment, after dose increases, in older patients, or those with existing lung problems.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact dangerously with Durogesic, potentially causing severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, or death.
Alcohol and Cannabis: Never drink alcohol or use cannabis while using Durogesic. The combination can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
- Sleeping tablets and tranquilizers (benzodiazepines)
- Other opioid medicines
- Anesthetics and muscle relaxants
- Drowsy-causing antihistamines
- Gabapentin and pregabalin
- Antidepressants (MAOIs, SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics)
- Antipsychotic medications
- Certain antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin)
- Antifungal medications (fluconazole, ketoconazole)
- HIV medications (ritonavir, nelfinavir)
- Heart medications (verapamil, diltiazem, amiodarone)
- Seizure medications (carbamazepine, phenytoin)
Alcohol & Driving
Durogesic significantly impairs your ability to drive and can be deadly when combined with alcohol.
Alcohol
You must never drink alcohol while using Durogesic. The combination can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Durogesic can affect your alertness and ability to drive or operate machinery. Do not drive or use machines until you know how Durogesic affects you.
Temperature Regulation
Never expose the patch to direct heat from electric blankets, heat pads, heated water beds, heat lamps, intensive sunbathing, hot water bottles, long hot baths, saunas, or hot spas. Heat exposure can increase fentanyl absorption, potentially causing overdose and death.
Storage
Keep Durogesic patches in their sealed pouch until ready to use. Store in a dry place below 30°C (86°F). Store securely where others cannot access them, as they can harm people who take them accidentally or intentionally. Return unused patches to your pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you suspect an overdose, immediately remove the patch(es) and call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them. Also call the Poisons Information Centre at 13 11 26. Overdose symptoms include slow or difficult breathing, drowsiness, unconsciousness, slow heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, and seizures.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first patch may take up to a day to take full effect after application because fentanyl is slowly absorbed through the skin into your bloodstream. Your doctor may prescribe additional medicines to control pain during the first day.
Yes, Durogesic poses risks of abuse, misuse, and addiction which can lead to overdose and death. It may become habit-forming, causing mental and physical dependence. Your doctor will monitor you regularly during treatment.
Never stop using Durogesic suddenly as you may experience withdrawal symptoms including trouble sleeping, nervousness, body aches, stomach cramps, nausea, increased heart rate, sweating, and chills. Your doctor will help you stop gradually by decreasing the dose.
No, you must never drink alcohol while using Durogesic. The combination can cause severe drowsiness, decreased awareness, breathing problems, coma, and death.
If the patch comes off before 3 days, apply a new patch of the same strength to a new spot of intact skin. Always remove the old patch before applying a new one.
Never cut, break, chew, crush, dissolve, snort, or inject Durogesic patches. This can result in serious side effects and death. Patches that are cut, divided, or damaged should not be used.
Tell your doctor immediately if you develop a fever. At high temperatures, the amount of fentanyl absorbed by your skin increases, and your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.