Duragesic?

[Boxerlover]

Hey guys, I went to get my prescriptions today and I usually get Brand Duragesic because my pharmacy uses mylan. My pharmacist had told me a week ago that she was having trouble getting the Duragesic and would keep trying and hopefully by this week she'd have it. Today she said she still can't get it and the manufactor is saying they don't have it. This is for the 75mcg. Just wondering if anyone knows what's up. She thought they were behind in making them. No biggie, just curious although I really don't like Mylan except for their size.

Melissa

[Tbackpain1]

I haven't had any problems getting the generic Sandoz, since they've caught up on production after the debacle of a "recall" they had a couple months back.

If you're not fond of the Mylan generic, see if your pharm can order the Sandoz. They're similar in the way the med is dispensed (liquid prep under a membrane, like brand) and you may find they are a cost effective alternative. I do call my pharmacist at least a week in advance to let him know I will be coming in for my script, so he can make sure to have enough on hand to fill for his "regulars" and for any new scripts that come in. I haven't had a problem getting them, as long as I call in advance, as the warehouse for this particular chain has been ordering much less Sandoz, and alot more of the Mylan (which I can't use because of an adhesive allergy).

Have you tried other local pharmacies? I have had to order from a "mom and pop" pharm at times when my regular chain can't meet my script in a timely fashion.

Theresa

[Boxerlover]

Theresa, thanks, I have used the sandoz before and it's fine, my pharmacy only gets the mylan generic. Hopefully by next month they will have the Brand back in. Also, Duragesic has been having a coupon special for quite awhile now and with insurance and the coupon I only pay 10.00 for 3 boxes. I paid 35.00 for the mylan which is what I pay for generics and 60.00 for Brand. It's not really a problem, the mylan is OK.

I also could go to the other pharmacy I use, they are a mom and pop that has been there forever and they are right by the hospital so they always the hard to get stuff. I use them for my compounded meds and on the very rare occassion when my meds weren't ordered on time.

Thanks!
Melissa

[jtroy]

Hey Melissa:

I've been doing this patch thing for a while now....long ago I was on 10 of the 100ug/hr patches (back when all you could get was Duragesic.) Anyway...the "resevoir" patches (the ones with the gel in them) tend to really cause me problems.

So, my doc told me about the Mylan brand and I far prefer them....I have a little girl in the house and my wife is terrified about these patches....I always use a Tegaderm over them (you can get them dirt cheap via ebay) and the Mylan brand sticks far better than the other ones for me anyway.

Everyone is different...I've also used the other generics, Watson, Sandoz, etc....they all were basically like Duragesic for me anyway. I can tell you that the Mylan patch tends to take some time to get used to....I personally think that it likely "peters out" that last day more than the others....at least for me anyway. That third day is always a tough one for me but I endure it b/c I have to pay for my meds up front and wait on a reimbursement check from my ins. co....these patches are very expensive. Right now I'm on 275ug/hr...trying to dwindle it down 25ug/hr every month...

Anyway...thought I'd chime in as well....I think that you'll like the Mylan as far as staying on....I know for me they stay on far better....it's just that last day that can get 'ya....keep us informed....in the meantime I hope you are able to get the Duragesic again if you prefer it....your pharmacist can get it...they just have to be proactive about it (you might have to call them ahead of time and remind them about it.)

Regards,

T. Jones, DVM

[Boxerlover]

Hey Troy, thanks for the input. I had used mylan years ago and yes, I love the size and they do stick better. When I used them back for the first time I actually thought they worked better than the Brand, then over time I felt that they maybe had lost something and my doc felt I would do better with Duragesic. I've been back on those for about a year.

I really don't think it matters for me so I'll probably just stick with these.

I completely understand your wife's concerns as we do not have children, but about 2 years ago for some reason I threw away the used mylan patch in one of the garbage cans that sit on the floor in the bathroom instead of the tall one in the kitchen like I always do. Well one of my dogs decided to raid the garbage. She had NEVER done it before. And of course she found the used patch. I was still asleep, and my husband was in the shower and all of a sudden I heard her panting really hard. This wasn't normal so I got up and as soon as I saw the garbage all over the floor I knew:eek:! So I looked all over and when I didn't find it I figured she had eaten it. So I called poison control and then our vet. By now the dog had a silly grin on her face and was leaning against a chair! I was panicking and threw my clothes on and ran her to the vet. Normally she is a very hyper dog and barks at the vet, this time she just mellowly sat and leaned on my leg. The vet said we were lucky in that with her weight, if she would have needed pain meds, that was the size patch they would have given her. I didn't know they gave the patch to dogs, interesting. Anyway I brought her home and she had a nice nap! I finally found the chewed patch stuck to the carpet in the closet so she only got a little as she chewed. Heavens, that was terrible.

The box tells you to flush them but I've heard not to do that so I now wrap them in the little packet that I am getting the new one from and then throw it away.

Melissa

[padresfan]

Hey Melissa:

I've been doing this patch thing for a while now....long ago I was on 10 of the 100ug/hr patches (back when all you could get was Duragesic.) Anyway...the "resevoir" patches (the ones with the gel in them) tend to really cause me problems.

So, my doc told me about the Mylan brand and I far prefer them....I have a little girl in the house and my wife is terrified about these patches....I always use a Tegaderm over them (you can get them dirt cheap via ebay) and the Mylan brand sticks far better than the other ones for me anyway.

Everyone is different...I've also used the other generics, Watson, Sandoz, etc....they all were basically like Duragesic for me anyway. I can tell you that the Mylan patch tends to take some time to get used to....I personally think that it likely "peters out" that last day more than the others....at least for me anyway. That third day is always a tough one for me but I endure it b/c I have to pay for my meds up front and wait on a reimbursement check from my ins. co....these patches are very expensive. Right now I'm on 275ug/hr...trying to dwindle it down 25ug/hr every month...

Anyway...thought I'd chime in as well....I think that you'll like the Mylan as far as staying on....I know for me they stay on far better....it's just that last day that can get 'ya....keep us informed....in the meantime I hope you are able to get the Duragesic again if you prefer it....your pharmacist can get it...they just have to be proactive about it (you might have to call them ahead of time and remind them about it.)

Regards,

T. Jones, DVM

And I thought I was the only one who put a Tegaderm over the Mylan patches. I even take a small Sharpie and write on the Tegaderm the day and time that I put the patch on. It helps me remember when to change it.

I also agree that on the third day you can definitely tell that the Mylan patch is wearing out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I remember going to pick up my patches once and the pharmacist had filled my prescription with the Watson ones. Now on I call the pharmacy the week before I get my prescription from the doctor and check to see if they have the Mylan in, and if they don't they can special order them for me for no charge. Maybe you can see if your pharmacy can do that for you if you really want the Duragesic ones.

[Boxerlover]

Padresfan, that's what I do, I usually call and let her know when I am going to be in so she can order them. She just wasn't able to get them this particular time as Duragesic said they didn't have any at this present time. She thought it was probably a production thing, that they just got behind.

Melissa

[mm1173]

I've only been doing the patch for a couple of months (always Mylan, and just recently decided I _really_ needed help for CP) and I kind of thought it was just me thinking the 3rd day seemed to drag by until I could apply a new dose. Does anyone have any recommendations on other generic companies, or should I have my PM Dr prescribe Duragesic brand only?

I suppose another option is to try Q48h instead of Q72h. Any stories on luck persuading the Dr to change dosage this early in a treatment regimen? I'm actually feeling fairly good just being on the patch and not having to pop oral meds every few hours, and always seeming to run out before the next appointment.

Matt

[Pharmacist.steve]

It is not that unusual for a patient to change the patch every 48 hrs.. on some people.. the patch seems to "peter-out" around 60 hrs

[Nana4&cntn]

Matt, my Doc always prescribed the 48 hr change when I was on the patch. I found the Mylan stuck to my skin better than the Duragesic or others with the reservoir of medication.

I don't know how to get your doc to change the dosing schedule for you except to tell him it is 'petering' out early.

Good luck, and welcome to BT!
Kathy

[Boxerlover]

Hey Matt, when I started out I was on every 72 hours. I started at 25mcg but knew immediately that that wasn't working so he moved me up to 50 mcg every 72 hours. I stayed on that for months and then noticed that on the last day I was really taking the breakthroughs more and having much more pain so when I told him that he changed me 48 hours and said most of his were on 48 hours. I stayed on that dose for 2 years then went to 75mcg every 48 where I have been for over 5 years and it does the job with my breakthroughs. I am very happy with the patch, it has helped me tremendously.

Also on the brands, I have used sandoz which I felt was the same as brand, I have never used watson and I think there's another one out there. I'm just going to stick with Duragesic I think. Besides Duragesic has been doing this coupn thing getting $50.00 off your copay so it is cheaper for me to get the brand. It has been going for about 6 months and I still have more.

Melissa

[Ragtop]

Rite Aid just told me the same thing, they cannot get the brand name
for me this month, ARGHH!
They said they will have the new Teva brand this month.
I have tried Mylan, and they just don't work for me, and the Sandoz was
a little better, but not as good as the real McCoy.
Anyone tried the Teva yet?
I would like to hear some feedback on it.
I have been on the patch for years now, and haven't had a problem
getting the brand name for a long time now. The $50 rebate program has saved me $600 last year alone!
The coupons they put in the package are expired now, but if you go to http://www.Duragesic.com, you can print out the new one.
Peace
Rags

[Boxerlover]

Ragtop, that was the other one I couldn't remember. I call tomorrow to make sure my meds were ordered so I'll know if I can get the brand this month or not.

Melissa

[Boxerlover]

FYI, I called my pharmacist and she can get the 75mcg this month so I have no idea what was up last month maybe just slow production.

Melissa

[Breeze]

Hi,
I haven't posted here in this forum in a while. But I also thought, foolishly, that I was the only one to use the Tegaderm with the duragesic or fentanyly patches. After my PLIF surgery my neurosurgeon put a 100mcg patch on with the tegaderm over it for protection, just in case. Good thing she did, after taking my catheter out after surgery and putting me on a bedpan and leaving me alone on it(granted I just had my spine fused and didn't have the power to get off it myself) it tipped over and soaked my bed!! The patch and my two3 inch incisions were saved due the Tegaderm.
Anyway ever since I have used them to cover the patch as with each type their adhesiveness is different, these help maintain their security.
After a month from surgery I was weened down to 25mcg q72hr. This did not last long! My PM saw that I have failed spinal surgery syndrome and gradually increased mcg. Up until June 2008 I was back on 100mcg along with my BTD Percocet 10mg q 4h prn. But, alas, insurance stopped and had to go cold turkey on all meds....................no one ever wants to go through that, believe me! I was like an addict on TV. I finally won SSDI in Sept. 2008, had to wait for award letter til Dec. 1 only to find out they messed up my Medicare and now waiting for them to rectify that and my back money! I did get set up with Part D, but can't afford to go to doctor to be re-evaluated so still waiting for meds!:(

[Boxerlover]

Breeze, I'm sorry to hear that. I would be in the same boat without my husband's insurance. I get all my perscriptions through that. I hope they get it all straightened out soon so you can get back on your meds and get some relief!

Wow, good thing you had the tegaderm cover on! I haven't worn them in a long time. I don't know what happened but my Duragesic just began to stick better on me. I used to have them fall off all the time and with our dogs I was worried that one would fall off and I wouldn't notice it right away. I should probably get some just to keep on hand. I just hate peeling them off, it feels like you're taking your skin off with the cover!!

Melissa

[Breeze]

My PMS told me I could go in the hot tub with my patches, due to being on them for a while he felt there was no risk of over medicating due to fast absorption with heat. I had refused to go to q48 hrs @ 100mcg due to having become tolerant of pain meds. Then with having to go through withdrawal like I did I will have to start all over again. But I will still go in my hot tub as this does help with my knees and low back greatly, I also have the risk of having heart disease(see signature) and must have the temp low anyway.

[steph2323]

Hi,
I haven't posted here in this forum in a while. But I also thought, foolishly, that I was the only one to use the Tegaderm with the duragesic or fentanyly patches. After my PLIF surgery my neurosurgeon put a 100mcg patch on with the tegaderm over it for protection, just in case. Good thing she did, after taking my catheter out after surgery and putting me on a bedpan and leaving me alone on it(granted I just had my spine fused and didn't have the power to get off it myself) it tipped over and soaked my bed!! The patch and my two3 inch incisions were saved due the Tegaderm.
Anyway ever since I have used them to cover the patch as with each type their adhesiveness is different, these help maintain their security.
After a month from surgery I was weened down to 25mcg q72hr. This did not last long! My PM saw that I have failed spinal surgery syndrome and gradually increased mcg. Up until June 2008 I was back on 100mcg along with my BTD Percocet 10mg q 4h prn. But, alas, insurance stopped and had to go cold turkey on all meds....................no one ever wants to go through that, believe me! I was like an addict on TV. I finally won SSDI in Sept. 2008, had to wait for award letter til Dec. 1 only to find out they messed up my Medicare and now waiting for them to rectify that and my back money! I did get set up with Part D, but can't afford to go to doctor to be re-evaluated so still waiting for meds!:(

Sorry to hear about all of the problems with SSD and medicare and not being on meds. Have you contacted your local congressman or other official to se of they can help? It's awful what they put your through...
Stephanie

[Boxerlover]

Hey Breeze, I'm glad you can go into the hot tub. It's a great way to relax and like you said it helps the ouchies!

Melissa

[Breeze]

I am going to contact my Congressman by mail and try calling too, to see if he could help out. The attorney that I had for my MVA is also a judge with lots of connections, so I am going to see if he can help me too.
The hot tub was great when going through withdrawals and when the pain is really intense, but my tub is outside and a bit tooooooo cold to go out there. Heck, just going to my shed outside, which is just 5 feet out my back door, without a coat, the cold will go right to the metal that is in my back and will stay there for a few hours and I suffer!! Heck hot flashes don't even warm up the metal, lol.

[Boxerlover]

We want to put a hot tub at iur family place in the mountains and then go up in winter and get in when it's snowing! I did that in college and it was the coolest thing. We might get lucky down here to see our breath, but I want the snow!!

Melissa

[steph2323]

I am going to contact my Congressman by mail and try calling too, to see if he could help out. The attorney that I had for my MVA is also a judge with lots of connections, so I am going to see if he can help me too.
The hot tub was great when going through withdrawals and when the pain is really intense, but my tub is outside and a bit tooooooo cold to go out there. Heck, just going to my shed outside, which is just 5 feet out my back door, without a coat, the cold will go right to the metal that is in my back and will stay there for a few hours and I suffer!! Heck hot flashes don't even warm up the metal, lol.

Good. Hope you get it soon. I used to work in Mental Health and when we had long delays, a call to a legislator would magically work. Sad but true.
I got denied the first time too, but had my hearing within 3 months and got approved within a week. That was really fast so I was lucky. It also depends on the local ss office too. Should not be as it is a federal program,but it does matter. Best of luck
Stephanie