Itching, itching!

[Dexter1]

I've been on Butrans patch 20mg for several years and now all of a sudden their causing me to itch really bad under the patch and when I take it off I have a raised bumpy itchy square spot there. Anybody ever had luck getting them to NOT do that? They work well so hate to quit using them.

[earthwitch]

There are so many different parts of those patches that you can be allergic too, that it is surprising that more people don't react, I think. The film part of it, the adhesive, the liquid they use to fill out the medicine, etc. Ask your doctor if it would be safe to take an antihistamine at the same time (may not be as antihistamines may increase the drowsiness effect too much). Otherwise, just make sure you rotate the patch site as much as you can. If you have a wider reaction, or a systemic reaction (eg difficulty breathing or mouth swelling) then get yourself to emergency straight away.

[Dexter1 in reply to earthwitch]

Thanks I'll check on that.

[Hidden]

I suffered from this for a while. At first they were effective and so I lived with it albeit it was not much fun. I tried steroid cream as well as taking anti histamines but in the end nothing worked.

I decided that enough was enough, spoke with my GP and changed to Fentanyl patches. The relief was instant. No more allergic response and the pain relief worked.

Maybe have a chat with your GP.

Best wishes,

Dave

[Dexter1 in reply to Hidden]

My Dr. doesnt like Fentanyl for some reason so won't prescribe it and it's very expensive here, US.

[Hidden]

Hi,

I have the same problem. First I used Fexofenadine for that problem. But I struggled as I have so many health problems and I use far too many medicine. My pain clinic consultant advised me to spray with Beclametasone first. Luckily or unluckily I also suffer from asthma and constant inflammation of the nose. So, I am prescribed for Beclametasone for both as a brown (preventer) inhaler for asthma and as a nose spray. Why ever nobody never told me this before. What a relief it is.. I spray a bit on the area and wait until it dries completely. Then I put the Butrans patch on. No itchiness at all. It used to drive me nuts. Please talk to your doctor and make sure you aren't allergic to this medicine first. It works wonders. Good luck.

[Dexter1 in reply to Hidden]

I will ask my Dr. about this! I've been wearing the patch with no problem until recently so don't know what's going on but it's driving me crazy. I'm going to see if my insurance will pay for Buprenorphine in buccal film form, it's brand new to market in U.S.

[jenna88]

I had a patch that did the same i was ok at first then lumpy and itchy plus my vision started goin blurry so it had to go

[birthday1]

Hi Dexter1 it is so strange that you say this as my last batch of 20mg have done exactly the same. I have never had it like this before, I've had the occasional itchy tines generally but not under the patch and certainly not to the point that I have broken the skin on the bumps when I take it off. Perhaps they have changed the formula?

[Dexter1 in reply to birthday1]

Good question. I think it was a new box when it started now that I think about it! Hmm

[Redhots7]

Have you been changing placement sites every time you change patch allowing 3 weeks before going back to same place ( i.e. Left arm )?

[Dexter1 in reply to Redhots7]

Actually, no but that's not what's caused it. I always just switch right and left sides of my upper back, but then put them on my chest like it showed on the directions and that's when it started. So next patch went on upper arm and then upper back again and now it's causing problems on my back.

[Redhots7 in reply to Dexter1]

Might try alcohol swab cleaning the area then let it dry before applying . ?

[clare86 in reply to Dexter1]

Have you tried applying them to your upper thigh instead of your arm?

[Dexter1 in reply to clare86]

No I didn't know you could. Have you?

[clare86 in reply to Dexter1]

yes, i always apply to upper thigh

[Dexter1 in reply to clare86]

Well what I've read said those lower body sites are less vascular so don't absorb as well but I'm trying it anyway. Well see...

[clare86 in reply to Dexter1]

good luck

[clare86]

I went through a spell of this. I found that as soon as the patch is removed, i put oilatum cream over the area and rub in well. Make sure when you rotate your patches that they are definitely on a different side to the last and a different area of skin as much as possible. It took a while for mine to settle, but did eventually. Also avoiding heat near the patches, i found this made it worse.

[Dexter1]

Well cortisone cream clears it up right after I take it off but maybe I'll try the alcohol before and switching to my thighs. My Dr. Has requested the Buprenorphine in a buccal film be put on the formulary because it just came out 2 weeks ago. That would eliminate the problem.

[Dexter1]

Tried it on upper thigh and no itching! My Dr. Said it was fine to put it anywhere within reason of course- maybe not in your eyes or lips- lol!

Trying to get Belbuca approved through my insurance. That would solve the itchy patch syndrome so many people have from the Butrans.