Fentanyl, Transdermal Patch
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Fentanyl, Transdermal Patch during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Fentanyl, Transdermal Patch
(fen-ta-nil)
Description: Fentanyl, Transdermal Patch
This medicine is an opioid (a strong narcotic pain reliever).
Other Names for this Medication:
- Duragesic®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: none.
- For people:
- adhesive skin patches that release 12 micrograms per hour
- 25 micrograms per hour
- 50 micrograms per hour
- 75 micrograms per hour
- 100 micrograms per hour
Key Information
- This is a narcotic pain medicine given as a patch placed on the skin. It can take a number of hours before it begins to help. In dogs and cats, it may control pain for about 3 to 5 days.
- You need to know the correct way to put the patch on and how to make sure it stays in place.
- Most animals handle this medicine well. If the amount is too high, it can lead to very heavy sleepiness, crying/howling/whining, and slower heart and breathing.
- The most common unwanted effect, when the amount is not too high, is a skin irritation or rash.
- Too much fentanyl can be deadly. If you see signs of too much medicine, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian right away or call an animal poison control center for instructions.
- Keep patches away from children at all times (new patches, patches on the pet, and used patches). Use extra care in homes with small children or with pets that might pull off a patch, chew it, swallow it, or otherwise be exposed to it. If a patch touches a person’s skin by accident, wash the area using water only (do not use soap or cleaners).
- Throw away the patch by flushing it down the toilet.
How is this medication useful?
Fentanyl is a strong narcotic pain medicine that is given as a patch. The patch releases the medicine slowly, and the medicine enters the body after it passes through the skin and into the bloodstream.
This medicine is approved for people, but it is not officially approved for animals. In some situations, the rules allow veterinarians to prescribe a medicine like this for different animal species or for different problems. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this option is the best choice.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how this medicine works in your pet. Make sure you and your veterinarian talk about the following so you can choose the safest plan.
- Some medicines can affect how fentanyl works. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had in the past.
- If your animal has had treatment before for the same problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medicine reactions your animal has had, including allergy-type reactions, not wanting to eat, loose stool, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- In dogs, the patch needs to stay on for at least 12 hours before it starts to work. In cats, it needs at least 6 hours. During this waiting time, other pain medicines should be used so your animal is not in pain.
- This medicine has a medium-length effect. It may help for several days. The effect may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in patients:
- If your animal is allergic to it.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in:
- Very small dogs (such as toy breeds), because it may be hard to give an exact amount.
- Animals that are taking other medicines that make them sleepy.
- Homes with young children, because fentanyl exposure can be extremely dangerous for them.
- Pregnant animals.
- Animals with a fever, because they may take in more medicine through the skin and develop unwanted effects.
- Cats that are very old, weak, or frail.
- Animals with breathing problems, because this medicine can slow breathing.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Side effects that usually are not serious include:
You do not need to panic if you notice these signs, unless they are strong, getting worse, or not going away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
- A rash where the patch was placed.
- Cats:
- pupils that look larger than normal
- mild over-excitement (uncommon)
- Dogs:
- sleepiness or being very calm/sedated.
- Constipation or trouble passing urine.
- Restlessness or mild agitation (for example: anxious, nervous, unable to settle). If needed, your veterinarian can prescribe a calming medicine to help during this time.
- Breathing and heart rate may slow down. Slower breathing can reduce a dog’s ability to cool off. Do not let your dog get too hot while using this medicine.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the following, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Breathing that is extremely slow.
- Not being able to wake your animal.
- Very severe agitation (uncommon, cats).
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Too much fentanyl can be deadly. If you see it happen or think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian right away or call an animal poison control center for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work correctly, use it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed. It is helpful to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are using it the right way.
- Your veterinarian will shave or clip the hair where the patch will go. In many cases, your veterinarian will place the first patch and then cover it with a loose bandage. They may also write the date the patch was placed on the bandage. Most patches work for about 3 to 5 days. In cats, patches often last longer than in dogs.
- Do not place the patch on areas that touch the floor when your pet lies down. Extra warmth and pressure from lying on the patch can increase how much medicine is released into the bloodstream, which raises the chance of unwanted effects.
- In dogs, the patch needs at least 12 hours to start working. In cats, it needs at least 6 hours. During this waiting time, other pain medicines should be used so your animal is not in pain. Ask your veterinarian which other pain medicines you can use.
- Do not use heating pads on the area where the patch is placed, because heat can increase how much medicine goes into the body.
- Do not cut the patch.
- If you are having trouble keeping the patch on your animal, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to reduce stress during medication time.
- This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you clearly understand how long your veterinarian wants your animal to receive it. Refills may be needed before treatment is finished, but each refill requires a new written prescription.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget the time you were supposed to replace the patch, take off the old patch and put on a new one as soon as you remember. After that, wait the normal amount of time your veterinarian recommended before changing it again. Do not apply extra patches or try to “make up” for the missed change.
How should I store this medication?
- Store in a locked or otherwise secure place, away from children and away from animals.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- After you take the patch out of its package, avoid letting the patch surface touch your skin for more than a few seconds. If it does touch your skin, rinse with water only. Do not use soap or cleaning liquids.
- Children must never be exposed to fentanyl patches, whether new or used. Serious illness or death has happened when children have been exposed to a patch or have eaten one.
- Keep fentanyl patches and all other medicines in a secure place that children cannot see or reach. A child may think a patch is a sticker, a temporary tattoo, or a bandage.
- Make sure the patch is covered with bandage material so it is less likely to come off your animal.
- Check more than once during the day to confirm the patch is still attached.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Safe disposal of fentanyl patches is extremely important, whether the patch is used or unused. Patches can be dangerous if someone is accidentally exposed, and they can also be misused by people who abuse drugs.
- Do not keep leftover patches for later use, and do not give them to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Some animal competitions may not allow use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”
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