Advice
Recommended for restricted use within NHS Scotland.
RECOMMENDATION
Transdermal fentanyl should be considered as a second-line alternative for patients with intractable pain due to non malignant conditions. It should be reserved for patients whose pain has initially been controlled by oral means, the pain being relatively stable. Its use should focus on such patients who have difficulty swallowing or have problems with opiate induced constipation.
NB: Transdermal patches are significantly more expensive than oral therapy.
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Medicine details
- Medicine name:
- Fentanyl transdermal (Durogesic®)
- SMC ID:
- 24/02
- Indication:
- Chronic intractable pain
- Pharmaceutical company
- Janssen-Cilag Ltd
- BNF chapter
- Central nervous system
- Submission type
- Full
- Status
- Restricted
- Date advice published
- 10 January 2003