Fentanyl patches

Patient Information Leaflet

Introduction

Welcome to The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust pain management service. This leaflet will provide you and your relatives with information about a medication called fentanyl. It includes what it is for, how it is taken and its benefits and risks.

This leaflet is not meant to replace discussion between you and your doctor, but as a guide to be used in conjunction with what is discussed.

What are fentanyl patches?

They are used for the treatment of severe pain. The adhesive patches are usually worn on the upper body, often the arm, chest or back. They release painkiller slowly and evenly over several days.  Fentanyl is a drug similar to morphine. It works on your nervous system and brain to reduce the way you feel pain.

What are the benefits?

Fentanyl patches are used to treat severe pain that has not responded to other weaker types of painkillers.

What are the risks?

Fentanyl can cause side effects. It may make you feel drowsy so please be careful when you are driving or doing anything where you need to be alert.

Other side effects may include nausea, being sick, constipation and a rash or itching.  Occasionally patients develop a rash around the site where the patch is applied.  Seek advice from your GP if this happens.

Important: do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel drowsy.

Rare problems are described in the leaflet that comes with your medication.

If after you start this treatment you experience any side effects, remove the patch and discuss the problems with your GP.

How is it used?

The patch should be applied to non-hairy, non-irritated skin which is clean and dry. The patch should be changed every three days (72 hours). Use a different area of the body when you apply a new patch.

Although the patch is usually changed every three days, some people may feel the effect fade on the third day. If your consultant agrees, you may need to change the patch every two days.

Please note that when you apply the very first patch, it will take up to 12 hours to have any effect.  You can continue to take your current pain relief medication during this time. Your consultant will give you advice about this.

There are four patch strengths available. Your consultant will recommend the best strength for you, depending on your previous doses of painkillers and your medical condition.

Please note:

• do not cut the patch in half for any reason
• do not stop using the patches suddenly

How do I dispose of the patch?

After use, remove the patch and carefully fold it in half (sticky sides together). Do not cut it in half.  Put it back in its original packet and then you can throw it away with your usual household rubbish.

Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. Used patches still contain some fentanyl, so keep used patches away from children.

What if I have problems?

You can contact the clinical nurse specialists in the pain management team (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) by:

• Calling 01384 244735 and leaving a message on the answerphone or
• Ringing the switchboard number 01384 456111 and asking them to bleep the number 5064

Out of these hours, you will need to contact your GP or NHS 111.

Can I find out more?

The following website has more information about managing pain:

British Pain Society

https://www.britishpainsociety.org/british-pain-society-publications/patient-publications/

If you have any questions, or if there is anything you do not understand, please contact the Russells Hall Hospital switchboard number on 01384 456111 and ask for the relevant department who issued this leaflet.

If you have any feedback on this patient information leaflet please email dgft.patient.information@nhs.net

This leaflet can be made available in large print, audio version and in other languages, please call 0800 073 0510.

Originator: Candice Baker, Ruth Carter, Kumar Vasappa. Date reviewed: December 2022. Review date: September 2025. Version: 4.    DGH ref: DGH/PIL/01232