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General information about opioid analgesic patch

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

  • general information about opioid analgesic patch preparations:
    • the patient should be warned that they may experience more breakthrough pain than usual in the first 1 to 3 days. Breakthrough analgesia should be provided rather than changing the patch strength at this point
    • laxatives may need to be reduced and titrated to need
    • replace the patches at the same time of day as indicated on the product information
    • vary the site of application with each change
    • apply to clean, dry, undamaged, non-hairy, flat areas of skin
    • never apply heat over the patch as this will increase absorption. Excessive heat should be avoided e.g. sauna, infrared radiation
    • dispose of patches by folding in half, sticky side together and putting in safe disposal unit e.g sharps box
    • check that patches stick well. Sweating, crinkling and lifting at edges can make pain control inadequate
    • patients can shower or swim, but often a vapour-permeable film dressing needs to be placed over the patch to aid adhesion

Reference:

  • (1) West Midlands Palliative Care Physicians (2007). Palliative care - guidelines for the use of drugs in symptom control.

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The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

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