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How Long Does Fentanyl Transdermal Patch Take To Show Effect?

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Posted on Tue, 27 Dec 2016
Question: hi iam a cronic pain patiant with pain contrat with my Dr taking norco 10 hydrocodone he jus put me on Fetanal 25 patchs last 3 days when iam up and around the patches dont seem to make the pain let up as well as the norco 10 how do they compare do I need a stronger patch my E mail is YYYY@YYYY
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you might want to wait on that

Detailed Answer:
fentanyl patches are notorious (for many reasons) for taking time to fully kick in because the drug has a relatively long way to go. It might not reach it's final effect for an entire week. In theory they should be about in the ball park of pain control.
Note that 10 mg about 3x a day or the fentanyl are in the low end of narcotic use. There are many reasons to STAY at the lowest dose and the fentanyl often helps people do that. It will be at its final effect certainly by 2 weeks. Often people have a very small amount of pills on top of the fentayl (like 5 mg, three times a day).
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Matt Wachsman

Addiction Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1985

Answered : 4214 Questions

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How Long Does Fentanyl Transdermal Patch Take To Show Effect?

Brief Answer: you might want to wait on that Detailed Answer: fentanyl patches are notorious (for many reasons) for taking time to fully kick in because the drug has a relatively long way to go. It might not reach it's final effect for an entire week. In theory they should be about in the ball park of pain control. Note that 10 mg about 3x a day or the fentanyl are in the low end of narcotic use. There are many reasons to STAY at the lowest dose and the fentanyl often helps people do that. It will be at its final effect certainly by 2 weeks. Often people have a very small amount of pills on top of the fentayl (like 5 mg, three times a day).