Duragesic Precautions

One of the most important things to know about the prescription medication Duragesic is that it can be habit forming and lends itself to abuse and diversion.

One of the most important things to know about the prescription medication Duragesic is that it can be habit forming and lends itself to abuse and diversion. There are many warnings and precautions outlined in the drug’s prescription label. Patients should familiarize themselves with all of them to ensure safe use. Duragesic is the transdermal patch form of fentanyl, a very potent narcotic painkiller. The high concentration of fentanyl, combined with the euphoria it can produce, makes it a target for illegal diversion and distribution. Safe use is possible with Duragesic and other opiates but precautions are in place to safeguard against allergic reaction, interactions, tolerance, dependence, overdose and withdrawal. Duragesic is meant to treat persistent, moderate to severe pain that cannot be managed with other medications. It should be used exactly as prescribed. Taking too much Duragesic or taking it more often than prescribed is dangerous. Both of these scenarios can lead to the development of a tolerance wherein effects become diminished. Escalation of use can lead to physical and psychological dependence.

Patients Should Know All Precautions Before Taking Duragesic

Misusing Duragesic can lead to a potentially fatal overdose. This is most often accidental but knowing the risks can help guard against it. Opiates and other substances such as alcohol, sleeping medications, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers and sedatives depress the central nervous system. Combining them can be deadly so patients should be up front with their doctors about all medications and substances they are taking. Duragesic should only be prescribed to patients who are already tolerant to opiates. Those who are not tolerant risk an overdose if they take Duragesic. Because of its high concentration of fentanyl, Duragesic should not be used by patients who have mild pain. This is also true for people who have intermittent pain or pain that is short term. The drug may not be appropriate for people who have suffered through prior addictions, those who have a history of substance abuse and those who have mental illness. The patches are meant to be used on the skin. Cutting or altering them in any way to ingest, inhale or smoke the gel inside is extremely dangerous. It can lead to overdose and addiction.

Waismann Method’s Duragesic Detox Can Eliminate Addiction Quickly

A Duragesic addiction is serious and needs to be treated as such. With Waismann Method detox, patients check into a hospital for 3 to 6 days. We use intravenous medication to cleanse the addiction from patients’ opiate receptors. This happens in less than two hours while patients rest lightly under general deep sedation. The procedure accelerates withdrawal and patients awaken without awareness this phase has passed. They are then monitored closely until it’s determined that they are ready to be discharged, free of opiate addiction. While some may be ready to return to their lives, families and careers, others choose to transition in our Domus Retreat aftercare facility.

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