Duragesic TD

Duragesic TD Warning

This medication is a strong narcotic pain reliever. It should only be used for patients who have been using moderate-to-large amounts of a powerful narcotic medication (e.g., morphine) regularly.

Use of this medication by someone who is not regularly taking narcotic pain relievers can cause serious (possibly fatal) breathing problems (e.g., very slow and shallow breathing).

This medication should not be used for the relief of acute pain, pain after surgery, or mild pain that lasts only for a short time. Fentanyl patch should be used only for ongoing pain that requires strong narcotic pain medications at all times for an extended period and for pain that cannot be relieved by quick-acting narcotics (for use as needed) or non-narcotic pain relievers.

Although it is very unlikely to occur, this medication may result in abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction/habit-forming). You may be at higher risk for addiction if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past or have a history of mental problems. Do not increase your dose, use it more frequently or for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed. This will lessen the chances of becoming addicted. Be sure to store your fentanyl safely to prevent others from taking it.

Do not cut or damage the patch. Broken, cut, or damaged patches may release large (possibly life-threatening) amounts of medication into your body or into anyone handling the cut/damaged patch.

This medication is not recommended for children under 2 years of age. Children 2 years of age and older should use this medication only if they have been taking narcotic pain medications regularly.

Make sure your physician knows all the medications you are taking especially, drugs that affect liver enzymes that remove this medication from your body such as azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole), macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin, troleandomycin), certain HIV medications (protease inhibitors such as ritonavir, nelfinavir), and nefazodone. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit can increase the amount of this medication in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Your physician will want to monitor you more closely or may decrease the dose of your medications. Do not stop or start any medications without talking with your doctor. (See also Drug Interactions Section)

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