Generic Name: fentanyl transdermal (device) (FEN ta nil trans DERM al)
Brand Names: Ionsys
What is fentanyl transdermal?
Fentanyl is a narcotic (opioid) pain medicine.
The fentanyl transdermal device is used only in a hospital to treat acute pain after surgery.
Fentanyl transdermal may be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about a fentanyl transdermal device?
The fentanyl transdermal device is used only while you are in a hospital. You will not be allowed to use the device at home. Do not leave the hospital with a device on your skin. Do not use this medication unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid (narcotic) pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant. Fentanyl may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Avoid drinking alcohol, or using other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, other pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety). They can add to extreme drowsiness or breathing problems caused by fentanyl.
The fentanyl transdermal device may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the device before undergoing such a test.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using a fentanyl transdermal device?
Do not use this medication unless you are already being treated with a similar opioid (narcotic) pain medicine and your body is tolerant to it. Opioid medicines include morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph, and others), oxycodone (OxyContin), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Talk with your doctor if you are not sure you are opioid-tolerant. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to fentanyl or any other medications, or if you have:
a breathing disorder such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
a history of head injury or brain tumor;
a heart rhythm disorder;
liver disease; or
kidney disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and could cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Fentanyl may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a nursing infant. Do not use fentanyl transdermal without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine. Fentanyl transdermal may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. This medication should never be shared with another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
How is a fentanyl transdermal device used?
The fentanyl transdermal device is used only while you are in a hospital. You will not be allowed to use the device at home. Do not leave the hospital with a device on your skin.
If the skin must be washed before fentanyl transdermal is applied, use clear water only. Allow the skin to dry completely before applying the medicine.
Do not use soaps, oils, lotions, alcohol, or other chemicals on the skin where you will apply fentanyl transdermal. These substances could increase the amount of fentanyl that your skin absorbs, possibly causing harmful effects.
The device will be applied where you can reach it, such as your chest or the outer side of your upper arm. The device is worn for 24 hours or until the device has delivered 80 doses of fentanyl.
To release the medicine from the device, press the dosing button twice. The device will sound a beep when the dose starts, and a red light will come on for 10 minutes while the dose is delivered. The light will also flash between doses to let your caregivers know how many doses are left in the device. Tell your care provider if the patch comes loose or falls off.
The device will allow you to give yourself up to 6 doses per hour. Do not allow others to press the dosing button for you. The fentanyl transdermal device may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the device before undergoing such a test.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since a fentanyl transdermal device is applied by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A fentanyl overdose can be fatal.
Overdose symptoms may include slow breathing, extreme weakness or dizziness, pinpoint pupils, cold and clammy skin, or fainting.
What should I avoid while using a fentanyl transdermal device?
This medication is for use only on the skin. Avoid touching the gel inside a device with your fingers. Do not allow the medicine to come into contact with your eyes, nose, mouth, or lips. If it does, rinse with water. Do not use soap or other chemicals. Fentanyl can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase dizziness or drowsiness.
Fentanyl transdermal side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your caregivers right away if you have any of these serious side effects:
weak, shallow breathing;
severe weakness, feeling light-headed or fainting;
cold, clammy skin; or
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding.
Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, gas;
dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia);
muscle stiffness, back pain;
itching, blistering, redness, or swelling where the patch or device was worn; or
increased sweating, urinating less than usual.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect fentanyl transdermal?
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, other pain medicine, muscle relaxers, and medicine for depression or anxiety). They can add to extreme drowsiness or breathing problems caused by fentanyl.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
carbamazepine (Tegretol, Carbatrol);
phenytoin (Dilantin);
diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem);
St. John's wort;
rifampin (Rifater, Rifamate, Rimactane);
an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek);
antifungal medication such as itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), miconazole (Oravig), or voriconazole (Vfend); or
HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with fentanyl. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Ionsys resources
- Ionsys Side Effects (in more detail)
- Ionsys Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Ionsys Drug Interactions
- Ionsys Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Ionsys - Add your own review/rating
Compare Ionsys with other medications
- Pain
- Postoperative Pain
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about fentanyl transdermal.
See also: Ionsys side effects (in more detail)
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