September 27, 2006 - 4:48pm
On September 25, 2006 the FDA approved Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet) manufactured by Cephalon, Inc.
Fentora is the first buccal tablet approved for breakthrough pain in cancer patients who are opioid tolerant. Approximately one half of the Fentora dose is absorbed by the upper check lining, resulting in faster analgesia compared to conventional oral opioids.
Fentora, available in 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 microgram tablets, will become available in the United States early October 2006.
Pill Identification - FENTORA
Fentora will be sold in cartons containing 7 child-resistant blister cards (each card containing 4 tablets). The cartons and blister cards are color coded. The tablets, blister cards and cartons are marked with the microgram strength:
100 mcg debossed '1' - blue blister/carton
200 mcg debossed '2' - orange blister/carton
400 mcg debossed '4' - sage green blister/carton
600 mcg debossed '6' - magenta blister/carton
800 mcg debossed '8' - yellow blister/cartoon
For more information, please see the Fentora website.
September 27, 2006 - 8:13pm
#2
Fentora
Danielle,
The pill is not really new - just the mode of delivery is new.
Fentora is simply fentanyl, a very potent opioid. At this time in the US I think it's the strongest of all human pain medicatons. What makes Fentora new is its mode of delivery. According to the manufacturer it may work faster for breakthrough pain since it's absorbed more quickly through buccal membranes.
From what I'm reading, Fentora might be similar to Actiq in its action. Actiq is made by the same company (Cephalon).
Fentora's only approval at this time is for breakthrough pain for opioid-tolerant cancer patients. It is not approved for non-cancer chronic pain patients.
October 28, 2006 - 7:39am
#3
fentanyl
fentanyl also comes in x*#&ers 800micrograms and 1600micrograms
(edited by TeamPharmer)
October 30, 2006 - 1:04am
#4
Curious
Out of curiosity how are *x*#&ers* prescribed?
Danielle
October 30, 2006 - 1:11am
#5
If you go to
If you go to http://www.actiq.com you can see what they look like as well as an image of the "x*#&er". To me, they look like a Q-Tip. The prescribing information is listed along with the "black boxed" warning.
gtrplayer
October 30, 2006 - 3:20am
#6
danielle2343
what do you mean?? they are prescribed for cancer and other bad pain you just x*#& on them for a certin amount of time they are ir
October 30, 2006 - 3:49am
#7
Traveler, Danielle is a good
Traveler, Danielle is a good poster who just had a question about the x*#&ers. She's not asking "how to get them prescribed", I think she is asking how they are dosed.
gtrplayer
October 31, 2006 - 9:50am
#8
OK
Wow they do look like q-tips! And thanks gtrplayer I WAS just asking about them. I have heard of morphine pops and all sorts like that but even in my long term pain mgmt I have never had them prescribed or suggested to me so I was just curious. Thanks for the link! And for sticking up for me!!
Danielle
October 31, 2006 - 10:49am
#9
No problem
Danielle-
I have actually seen them dispensed one time in a local pharmacy, but I guess the poor guy they were prescribed for was considered terminal. And Danielle, I know that you are a good poster, I just didn't want someone popping in and assuming the worst. Keep on posting!
gtrplayer
October 31, 2006 - 6:44pm
#10
fentanyl
Hi i have a question for anybody who can help me. I have a friend who uses oxycontin daily and this past weekend someone gave him a 2.5 mg fentanyl patch, ( 0.25mcg per hour) . He was insisting on putting it on but i warned him he shouldnt, so he didnt. I would like to know if he would be able to handle it without putting himself in danger, he weighs about 200 lbs and takes about 100- 140 mg of oxycodone daily. I know he shouldnt even be taking it in the first place but i would just like to know if that is too powerful for him or if he can handle it .. Thanks
October 31, 2006 - 7:38pm
#11
endo
yes it would be fine ...it takes 3 days for it all to get in you
(edited by TeamPharmer)
October 31, 2006 - 7:57pm
#12
Not good advice
Since you are not the patient's doctor, you shouldn't be making comments like this.
Even doctors make mistakes. I know because my husband was precribed the wrong medicine and he ended up in the hospital and was very, very sick.
Only this person's doctor can help. And for such a strong medicine, the doctor needs to know the patient's entire history, any physical problems, all meds he is taking and other information. And the doctor needs to monitor the patient very closely. The strong opiates can be very deadly if not used correctly and without proper supervision.
Princess
October 31, 2006 - 11:46pm
#13
In response to "Yes, that would be fine"
We really need to be careful about giving that kind of advice. I agree with Princess 100%, this isn't the place for a diagnosis or a treatment plan.
gtrplayer
November 1, 2006 - 1:08am
#14
check this link out if you want info on fentanyl
November 1, 2006 - 3:32am
#15
THE PATCH
I was prescribed the patch at one time but from what I have read I would think it would depend on the life of the oxy's in the persons body(you may not feel it but it is still their). I would hate to see someone taking oxy's and mixing it with the patch. I do not know the length of how long either one stays in your body. I am just learning some of these things for my own meds but please be very careful and if you are under the care of a Dr. and need more then you are taking because of your pain please try and talk to your Dr. you never know he/she may surprise you. Not trying to preach it is just that I have had an encounter that I am blessed to be here today to be able to write this!! Somethings that we do not know can hurt us. I hope all goes well with you and just trying to help. Jamie
November 2, 2006 - 12:33am
#16
if you can take 140mgs of
if you can take 140mgs of oxycontin ....there is no reason you can't put on a 2.5mg patch...it is stronger than oxycontin... but not that much stronger....i'm not saying do it... but i personly think it wouldn't hurt...if you take that much oxycontin you have a tolerance built up already...
November 1, 2006 - 10:30pm
#17
That lowest dosed patch will
That lowest dosed patch will not be anything some who is on 100-140mg of oxycodone couldn't handle. I don't think they will be very impressed with that small of a dose. It will probably barely keep the oxy withdrawal at bay. Personally I would rather be on fentanyl patches than oxy's. Oxycodone makes you feel sedated and lethargic. Fentanyl can feel energizing. The patches take a long time to kick in and create a stable concentration. If you know your body can tolerate strong opiates you can put it on before bed and wake up with it going strong. If you can't tolerate it i.e. you didn't get it prescribed by a dr. then you shouldn't do that cause you could o.d. and possibly die from respitory suppression/failure. 25mcgs is a small dose compared to the 75 or 100mcg patches. Someone with no opiate tolerance would most likely die if they abused a 100mcg patch. These are the people that give good meds bad reputations with their stupidity. They deserve what they get but unfortunately they can effect the people who benefit from responsible use.
November 2, 2006 - 1:40am
#18
Micrograms
Quote:
there is no reason you can't put on a 2.5mg patch
I think you mean micrograms (mcg), not milligrams (mg).
November 2, 2006 - 11:38am
#19
Reguardless
Regardless what a person takes on a regular basis unless you or any other poster is this persons doctor I would seriously NOT recommend saying that it was OK to take anything in addition. Since we do not know the persons history or drug interactions or even possible allergies I would leave that answer up to a licensed Dr. and plainly say ... ONLY your Dr. can advise you what to take and how much of it to take. Even with the lowest dose of the patch we cannot say for sure that there would not be any reactions good or bad for this person.
Danielle
November 3, 2006 - 4:01am
#20
i did not tell him to take
i did not tell him to take oxycontin and the patch..just one or the other and he knows we aren't doctors when he asked
November 3, 2006 - 4:02am
#21
he put anyone who can help
he put anyone who can help
November 3, 2006 - 9:20am
#22
endo712
I just got finished typing a rather lengthy reply to another poster regarding fentanyl. You should read this and pass it along to your friend as well. Please don't advise him to take the patch. As everyone has already said (except Traveler) no one but his doctor should be making that call. How would you feel if you told someone they would be just fine taking something and then they end up overdosing and possibly dying? Over something that some person told you on a Pill ID website? As I just stated in my other post, fentanyl is a very, very potent opioid and should be respected as such. I'm not sure how to insert a link to my other post, but the title of it is "duragesic transdermal system 100 mcg/h" Take care.
(edited by TeamPharmer to insert link to htallow's other post)
November 3, 2006 - 11:52am
#23
Thanks
Thanks TeamPharmer for inserting the link. Dumb me.
November 5, 2006 - 12:20am
#24
kirby
it is 2.5mgs and 25micrograms
December 3, 2007 - 11:32am
#25
fentanyl patch
While I do agree that you shouldnt go giving your patches to people for many reasons (ie: you cant just give them away! its illegal and you will run out! (a little self centered view i know but true), if they have been on pain managment for years and havnt been perscribed them there is probably a reason!!!) But i absolutly agree that if some one is taking that much oxycodone they would be fine. I have been on both for years.
I actually came to this forum to ask a question... Like i said I have been on the patch for years. Strengths varying for when im in more or less pain. Right now i am on the fifties and I put it on last night...took it off this morning cause it felt like it was burning me, and it gave me a "big" blister! not just that but my skin around it is peeling off! like you can see the exact line of where it was from the lack of skin in that area!!!I know i put them in a differant spot than most (like kinda next to my hip bone) but i have been for years cause i cant seem to make them stay in place for more than a few hours any where else.
Has this ever happened to any one else? IT BURNS!!! Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Habitualuser
December 3, 2007 - 11:37am
#26
P.S.
I dont think some one on that much oxycodone ( thats like 28 five mg tabs a day!!!) could have any sort of an allergic reaction or some thing like that!! 25mcg of fentanyl isnt that much stronger than that...after i just posted that saying that mabey if the doctor hadnt perscribed them mabey it was for a reason my brother ( who broke many spots in his back four years ago and has been on chronic pain managment ever since's doctor told him that he wont perscribe it cause of a personal reason!!!!!
February 6, 2008 - 5:23pm
#27
I've tried it
I have been on it for a week now, it makes my gums sore at first now they are starting to adjust. When titrated to 800mcg it does a great job for break through pain, I recommend it above anything else I have ever taken for break through pain.
There is no pain you are receding. A distant ships smoke on the horizon.....
February 27, 2008 - 7:34pm
#28
1mg = 1000
March 24, 2008 - 12:43am
#29
About the Fentanyl Patches
I had one on and throughout the course of the day, it had fallen off. Not knowing, I began to have extreme tremors in my legs. They couldn't stop. I took the 50mcg ones and the only way i noticed it wasn't there was because I went to the bathroom and had to take off my coat and while looking in the mirror I noticed it gone. Although I did have successful treatment with it, the very fact that I went into a severe shaking bout WAS ENOUGH FOR ME TO STEP UP TO MY DOCTOR. I immediately asked the doctor to discontinue the treatment. But then again, it was a god send. Anyway, I got the cold shoulder treatment but hey, its my body and I am telling you, the convulsions I was having was the most painful and debilitating experience of my life and NO ONE can tell me that I should just tough it out or hey THANKS NORMAL, DEAL WITH IT. So for now, I just personally wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Because if one comes off and you are far away from home.....Forget about it!!!
Again as someone said before, do not change unless you talk to your doctor!!
Thanks..
P.S. Anyone know about degenerative disks? I put a post in the chronic pain and pain management secton of the forum.
March 24, 2008 - 12:40am
#30
What do you think?
What do ya think it means? IT's YOUR BODY!!! YOU TELL US!!!
October 25, 2008 - 11:02am
#31
patch
A couple of years ago our County Drug task Force got the bright idea of pressuring doctors to prescribe ONLY 2.5 patches for pain. No hyrdo-cod.-nothing-just the patch.
Needless to say, there were a lot of overdoses from this bright idea. Also, needless to say- this is not being done anymore.
I personally don't like the patch. I don't think folks realize how strong the patch is.
xx
editmod3
October 25, 2008 - 11:14am
#32
Blister, burning
I had that happen. It's one reason why I didn't like the patch. (And I was on the real weak ones.)
All I can tell you is that a person can develope an allergey to ANYTHING anytime. I can't take pcn or any sulfa drugs now. Puts me in the hospital.
Back to the patch. I could never tolerate them. I'd pull them of in my sleep. My skin would be all red. I'd try to take a shower, and if the area got wet, the skin would be ever more irritated.
The patch was all the doctors in my county were going to prescribe at the time. We had to turn them back in at the end of the month. I lost one of mine in the yard, and hubby found it the next spring. (Looked like a slice of potato. LOL
When I'd turn them in they were torn and had badages on them from where I would try to sick them back on. i was accused of "tampering )with them .It was a God-awful mess.
November 14, 2008 - 5:44pm
#33
Ya thanks
Thanks for your post. I want to know is there any problems occur while using fentora.
--------------------------
Jack roberts
January 6, 2009 - 5:44pm
#34
The worst
First post here. I came across this site and noticed that this thread. My horror to see that so many more people have been affected by these pacthes. I was prescribed these by a new pain management doctor about two years ago. After working my way up to the 100 patches, I had come to appreciate how I began living an almost painfree life for the first time in a decade.
backnote - I am under 30, and by far not the typical candidate for pain management, but I have had severe nerve damage in my neck and shoulder due to a football injury that was not treated due to my athletic ability and importance on the football and baseball field. When I finally had surgery, nothing worked and my first pain management doctor botched a couple processes with me and caused more damage than I initially had.
Well, its been about a year since I had my horrible experience. It was during the holidays and I had one of my typical bi-weekly doctor's visit. Having been a very obeying patient, you can imagine my shock when I was supposed to get my refill for my monthly prescription of the 100 mcg patches. As much as I hated the patches, they had been the only thing to help my pain. Well, when they stayed on, or didn't burst. I tried both the Duragesic brand name and the generic equivalent. Neither stayed on for the 3 days it was supposed to, but clear athletic tape had become the norm for keeping them on. The month during this visit, I had told the doctor of how one of the patches burst when I bumped into the wall trying to avoid some kids running at the store. I didn't know it until I started feeling nauseated and really cold. I checked the patch and it was basically empty and my shirt was soaked with the creamy substance inside. When I got home, I changed out the patch and put on another one, even though I had only had the patch that burst on for two days. This is key. When I was at the doctor only two weeks before, he said that was fine. A day is not problem. Fast forward to two weeks later, he must have been in a bad mood. When I reminded him that I needed a refill, he asked why I needed the refill a day early. I reminded him that they would be closed for the holidays and that one of my patches had burst. He instantly accused me of trying to get him to do something he didn't want to do. I told him that if I wouldn't have any of the medicine as of the next day, Christmas Eve-Eve, and he said that I'd have to do without.
The next day, was by far the worst day of my and my wife's life. After awaking in the worst pain I'd ever been in, I tried to fight through the instant WDs that my body starting having. Not even the tramadol or lyrica I had for breakthru pain worked. By Christmas Eve, I was huddled in my closet trying to get relief from the pain of being without pain relief. My stomach was hurting so much that I was rushed to the nearest Urgent Care center. After the nurse made one of my veins burst while trying to put an IV in, the ER was the next stop. After letting them know what I had been taking and had instantly stopped, the doctors checked on my vitals and saw that my heart was about to stop. After getting a morphine IV, I was stable, but in bad shape. I went home and tried to spend Christmas with family, even though I could barely walk. It was as if my muscles had to reteach themselves to move. A few days after, and about 100 calls to my pain management doctor by my father and wife, I went in to see the doctor. It was as if he had completely forgot what he had did days before. He began writing the prescription for the 100s when I had to remind him of what I went through. He nodded and said, "yes, it's hard...you have to be weened off of them." My direct response to this was that no matter how hard it was, I had already been through the hardest of it and I would never, ever take that medicine again. He wrote the prescription anyway and said that I needed to take it. After we "discussed" all of this again, he said he was sorry. Sorry for putting me through the worst days of my life. I tore up the prescription and said we needed to create an alternative plan.
This is a true pain reliever, but I feel bad for those that will have to get off of it. It took months of will power to just get through not taking the medicine. I was switched to something much less effective and have just been living with the pain. I figure that I'd rather not be able to sleep, or move my left arm than ever have to go through this again. It's been more than a year, and I'm still trying to find a suitable PM doctor and PM plan to help me. And the worst of it all is that one year to the day that I was in the ER with this problem, I began having seizures. Not sure if it is related to the meds, but I know the headaches I've had for the past year are. And the headaches are what the doctors are saying caused the seizures.
Good luck to everyone taking this medicine. Be sure to do your research as I know many deaths have been attributed to these. They've even been the focus of one of those shows "Snapped" that comes out on Oxygen.
January 23, 2009 - 12:29pm
#35
Duragesic Patch (fentanyl and Fentora)
I have been going through Pain Management for nearly 3 years for a MTBI (minor traumatic brain injury). It was rough for the first few weeks. LOL, the ER doctor said I would be fine in a few days. WRONG!!! My whole world changed about a day and a half later. After 6 months, I was stuck with Chronic Daily Headaches/Migraines. I have been on Fentora before, both the 400 and 100 mcg pills. I was first given the 400's and on the first dose, it hit me much harder than any morphine shot I had in the ER (numerous trips). Eventually the doc took me off of them when he saw me heading to the abusing side of things. I do take Roxicodone and other meds that total about 23 pills per day. Now I am on the Duragesic Patch (3rd month) at the 50 mcg level. They are effective because the pain is different. I find myself cutting the Roxi's in half so I don't over medicate.
Fentora is a quick and strong medication, when used properly. With me, I had releif in 15 - 20 minutes and needed to be in bed or on the sofa in 45 minutes after taking the bucal tablet. At times I wish I still had some to keep the pain at bay. Maybe my doc will get me to the 100mcg patches and that will be all it takes. I all ready know I can't work but I do want to be pain free. Is that too much to ask for?
January 30, 2009 - 6:21pm
#36
According to some PMs
Asking to be pain free is too much...your expectation has to be more of a functionality, rather than complete pain free mentality. Kind of hard when your the one who can't move and they are doing everything they want to in life.
January 31, 2009 - 1:34am
#37
Wait so they put you on Fentora without having cancer?
So they put you on Fentora without having cancer?
January 31, 2009 - 2:36am
#38
Same as actiq
I do not have cancer and I am perscribed 120, 800mcg Actiq per month. Yes my ins. covers them, as with most meds, they can perscribe them off label although it is sometimes hard to get your ins. to cover them.
February 9, 2009 - 1:44am
#39
Fentora Is a Life Saver For Me.....
I've been on OxyContin 80mg x2 and 20mg x2 for over 10 years and many or all other pain meds before that due to Severe Nerve Damage when I was in a Natural Gas Explosion at age 7, And had over 150 surgeries from 7yrs old-17. I have had the Oxy IRs, percs, Methadone, Ativan, 100mcg Patches, the Actique x*#&ers up to 1400mcg for Break through pain, you name it I've had it.. And Now am on the Fentora 400mcg @ 4 Boxes a month which is 112 blister packs, 28 per box, 7 sheets of 4 blister packs. I now dont have to wait for an Hour or two for The Oxy to kick in , in the morning and have no side affects but Feeling more Normal again.. I HATE waking up having to get my kids ready for school and my Oxy not helping the extreme crushing pressure in my back from 3rd degree Burns and Muscle removal on back and lower legs... Now I can get up pop a Fentora and within 10-15min. Be from a Pain rateing of 10 down to a 6 and soon after the Oxy kicks in and im down to about a pain lvl of 4 on the 0-10 scale ... But as stated here and in packaging it is Alot stronger than the Actique or patch. You Absorb 50% into your blood stream within the first 5 min.(Pretty much called pure base) And is more than twice that of Actique. So my Fentora 400mcg tab is stronger and faster than 1400mcg Actique, and is dissolved within 5-10min... Its deffinetely a lifesaver besides the price with NO insurance.... $734 A Box, 28 tabs!!! But cant live without em now.. Quality of life and functioning more normally has no price, and be on there Assistance program dropping that to $25 for All 4 boxes.. Sorry for the rambling but this is one of the first times I've spoken of my medications like this.. Good Luck to all, and if any questions about almost any pain med and how it worked with what side affects... I deffinetley know too much..
February 27, 2009 - 8:58pm
#40
The difference between
The difference between Fenotra and actiq is several minutes to absorb the medication via actiq pops vs seconds to absorb the medication via fentora. Fentora is stronger than Actiq IMO.
Being a new pain med do you know he strength comparison? For instance compared to oxycodone or methadone... I just wondered if it could be an alternative for people like me in chronic pain????
Danielle Nelson