Duragesic Addiction and Abuse

Duragesic, the skin patch form of fentanyl, is a highly potent opioid that is prone to abuse, dependence and addiction. It should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.

Duragesic is the opioid fentanyl in a skin patch dosage form. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance in the U.S. under the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). As such, it has a legitimate medical use but is at high risk of causing abuse and dependence, which can lead to addiction.

Duragesic Addiction

Duragesic should only be taken with a doctor’s prescription. Patients who take Duragesic as prescribed may still develop a dependence or addiction, as the drug belongs to the class of highly addictive opioid drugs. People who have become addicted to Duragesic can abuse the medication in different ways, including:

• Applying more patches than prescribed
• Changing patches more frequently than instructed
• Injecting extracted fentanyl
• Chewing or swallowing patches
• Inserting patches into the rectum
• Inhaling gel from the patch
• Making the patch into a tea

What is Duragesic?

Duragesic is the brand name for the fentanyl skin patch. Fentanyl is a powerful opioid pain reliever that’s 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Duragesic is long-lasting and has a slow onset time. It’s typically prescribed for the management of chronic pain. Because it is so strong, the drug is only prescribed to people who are opioid-tolerant, meaning they have taken the equivalent of 60 mg or higher morphine doses every day for at least a week.

Signs, Symptoms & Side Effects of Abuse

Common side effects of Duragesic include:

• Gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea
• Sleep-related side effects like drowsiness, fatigue or insomnia
• Dizziness
• Excessive sweating
• Feeling cold
• Weight loss
• Headache

Addiction can occur in stages that worsen over time. If someone begins to struggle with Duragesic use, the first signs are often behavioral, such as:

• Social withdrawal
• Avoidance of family or old friends
• Spending an excessive amount of time with new friends
• Losing interest in things
• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Sleep problems or abnormal sleep patterns
• Missing appointments or deadlines
• Problems with work, school or family
• Reckless behavior
• Legal problems

If these signs become noticeable in yourself or in someone you love, do not hesitate to seek professional help as soon as possible.

Duragesic Overdose

Duragesic suppresses the autonomic respiratory drive by acting directly on the brain stem, which is the area of the brain that controls breathing. The drug is a potent central nervous system depressant. Especially if a person is not tolerant to opioids, even a low dose of Duragesic can cause overdose and death.

People who have taken too much can deteriorate rapidly from poor coordination to unresponsiveness. The person may be able to respond to questions with short phrases one moment and be unaware of their surroundings in a matter of minutes.

Before the onset of an overdose, several warning signs may be present.

The primary symptoms of Duragesic overdose include pinpoint pupils, decreased level of consciousness and severe respiratory depression. Respiratory depression, or slowed breathing, is often the ultimate cause of death when an overdose occurs.

Fentanyl patches can result in a fatal overdose after just one dose. The amount of Duragesic necessary to overdose varies dramatically among individuals. For this reason, doctors practice extreme caution when prescribing Duragesic, often giving patients the lowest possible dose until they become tolerant to the medication.

In the event of an emergency, or if you believe you are witnessing an opioid overdose, call 911 immediately. If available and used correctly, naloxone can be used to help reverse an opioid overdose while waiting for help to arrive.

Duragesic and Alcohol

You should not mix alcohol and Duragesic, as combining the two substances can produce dangerous effects. Because both substances depress your central nervous system and your respiratory function, using them together puts patients at high risk of overdose, coma and death.

Long-Term Consequences

Even if you have taken Duragesic as prescribed over the long-term, abuse, dependence and addiction will always be risks. This is because of the way the drug works on the brain’s reward system.

Duragesic Withdrawal

If you are interested in stopping an opioid treatment, set up a meeting with your doctor so that they can gradually lower your dosage over time. This tapering off strategy will help your body adequately adjust to less and less of the medication. Duragesic should never be stopped suddenly or “cold turkey,” as this can produce unwanted withdrawal symptoms.

If you are having difficulties managing withdrawal symptoms, you may want to enter a medically assisted detoxification program. This provides patients with a safe place where they can detox while they access medically trained staff.

Everyone experiences withdrawal differently and you should never be afraid to ask for help during this difficult time.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Common withdrawal symptoms from opioids like Duragesic include:

• Nausea/vomiting
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Hot/cold flashes
• Sweating
• Cramps
• Runny eyes/nose
• Diarrhea

Remember, do not suddenly stop taking Duragesic as withdrawal symptoms may become enhanced and more uncomfortable.

Withdrawal Timeline and Symptom Duration

When you stop taking Duragesic, withdrawal symptoms can start between 8 and 24 hours after the last dose and may last for 4 to 10 days. However, everyone experiences withdrawal differently. Factors contributing to how long you may experience withdrawal symptoms include your age, metabolism, organ functions, how long you have been using Duragesic, your Duragesic dosage levels and more.

Duragesic Addiction Treatment & Detox

The Recovery Village has many resources and programs for patients looking to recover from Duragesic addiction. Before patients enter either inpatient or outpatient Duragesic rehab, they are required to detox from Duragesic. Once all of the medication is safely removed from the body, patients benefit from individual and group counseling sessions and recreational therapy activities during their time at The Recovery Village.

Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab is a program that allows patients to live on campus at one of The Recovery Village’s designated inpatient centers while they recover from addiction. This treatment option is especially beneficial for patients who have been diagnosed with severe addiction or those who may find it difficult to recover due to distractions from their home life. In the inpatient rehab program, patients will learn how to manage their unique addiction challenges from professionally trained staff.

Outpatient Rehab
Once a patient is finished with inpatient Duragesic rehab, they will continue their treatment with outpatient rehab. In the outpatient program, patients will live at home while they come to The Recovery Village for their scheduled treatment appointments. Some patients who have less severe addiction may actually begin their recovery with outpatient rehab rather than participate in an inpatient therapy program. Following outpatient rehab, aftercare options, including teletherapy, are available to ensure you have the support you need as you reenter life without Duragesic.

Choosing a Rehab Center

Choosing a rehab center is an important step in a patient’s journey to living a happier, healthier substance-free life. You may want to set up a meeting with your doctor to discuss which features you need to seek in a center to make the most informed decision possible.

If you or someone you know is suffering from Duragesic addiction, get help as soon as possible. The Recovery Village has many resources and treatment options for those looking to overcome their substance abuse disorder. Contact our helpful representatives to learn more and discuss our treatment options.

Editor – Melissa Carmona

Melissa Carmona puts years of writing and editing experience to work helping people understand substance abuse, addiction and mental health disorders. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD

Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more