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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Nausea,appetite Loss And Dry Mouth When On Butrans Patches?

Hi, My 72 year old mother has been using Butrans patches for over 2 years. Throughout this period, she has been complaining of nausea, lack of appetite, dry mouth, constipation, and stomach pain. For months, I have been asking her to stop using it since it appeared to me that it was affecting her gastritis. However, she has not stopped until this past Wed. when she was unable to filled her prescription. However, she continues with nausea, difficulty swallowing, restlessness, headaches, diarrhea, lightheadedness, and lack of energy. Despite the limited amount of food and liquid intake in the past few days, she has frequent visits to the bathroom.
Are these common side effects of withdrawing from Butrans? If so, how long does it last? Does she needs to be seen by a dr for possible dehydration?
Tue, 18 Nov 2014
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  Anonymous's Response
's  Response
Hello, Butrans contains butrenorphine which is an opoid pain medication. The other word we use is narcotics. Misuse of narcotics can cause addiction, overdose or death. Nausea, lack of appetite, dry mouth, constipation stomach pain are some of the most common side effect of this drug. Since the addiction risk of this drug is high so is the withdrawal risk. As you said, she stopped the drug and was unable to refill it, the symptoms which she is experiencing including increased urination are due to opoids withdrawal. You should always monitor closely the dosage and titration of opoids in elderly patient as it can cause life threatening respiratory depression.Normally we always titrate the dose of opoids before stopping it as half life of this drugs are long and takes longer to flush out of the body. I think you should immediately consult your doctor regarding this symptom and he may advice you what to do next.
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What Causes Nausea,appetite Loss And Dry Mouth When On Butrans Patches?

Hello, Butrans contains butrenorphine which is an opoid pain medication. The other word we use is narcotics. Misuse of narcotics can cause addiction, overdose or death. Nausea, lack of appetite, dry mouth, constipation stomach pain are some of the most common side effect of this drug. Since the addiction risk of this drug is high so is the withdrawal risk. As you said, she stopped the drug and was unable to refill it, the symptoms which she is experiencing including increased urination are due to opoids withdrawal. You should always monitor closely the dosage and titration of opoids in elderly patient as it can cause life threatening respiratory depression.Normally we always titrate the dose of opoids before stopping it as half life of this drugs are long and takes longer to flush out of the body. I think you should immediately consult your doctor regarding this symptom and he may advice you what to do next.