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Fentanyl (prescription patch)

Brand names: Duragesic

Prescription fentanyl patches treat severe, long-lasting pain in people already used to opioids. Illegal fentanyl is a leading cause of overdose deaths.

Brand namesDuragesic
Type of medicineOpioid pain medicine
Prescription?Prescription
ImportantThis page is general information, not a prescription. Don't start, stop, or change a medicine without talking to your provider or pharmacist.

Overview

The patch releases medicine through the skin over 3 days.

Heat, fever, and hot tubs can release a dangerous dose faster.

What it's used for

  • Severe long-lasting pain in people already taking opioids daily

How to take it

  • Apply to clean, hairless skin on the chest, back, or upper arm. Change every 72 hours.
  • Don't cut the patch. Don't use heating pads, electric blankets, saunas, or hot tubs.
  • Fold used patches sticky sides together and flush or dispose as the label says; used patches still hold enough to kill a child or pet.
  • Keep naloxone (Narcan) at home and show family where it is. It can reverse an opioid overdose.

Your dose depends on your health and other medicines. Always follow your prescription label, and ask your pharmacist if anything is unclear.

Side effects

Common side effects

  • Constipation
  • Nausea
  • Sleepiness
  • Skin irritation
Call 911Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing, blue lips, or can't be woken up
Call 911A child or pet touched, chewed, or swallowed a patch
Call 911Extreme sleepiness or confusion

Warnings

  • Boxed warnings: addiction, deadly slowed breathing, accidental exposure, and heat increasing the dose.
  • Not for short-term or occasional pain, or for people not already on opioids.
  • Illegal pills and powders can contain fentanyl; fentanyl test strips and naloxone save lives.

Other medicines, foods, and alcohol

  • Taking it with alcohol, benzodiazepines (like alprazolam or lorazepam), sleep medicines, gabapentin, or other opioids can slow breathing and cause death.
  • Some antifungals, antibiotics, and HIV medicines raise its level dangerously.

Tell your provider and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin, and supplement you take.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Long-term use in pregnancy can cause withdrawal in the newborn.

Missed doses, overdose, and storage

If you miss a dose

If you forget to change your patch, remove the old one and put on a new one as soon as you remember, then change it every 72 hours from then. Never wear two patches unless told to.

If someone takes too much

Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or get help online at poison.org. Call 911 if the person collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be woken.

Storing it

Store at room temperature, away from heat and moisture (not in the bathroom), and out of reach of children and pets.

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-13.