A pain patch, also known as transdermal patch or skin patch, is one of the best modern techniques that is quite useful in pain management. For instance, most pain patches are usually given in situations when patients lack the ability to use oral analgesics or because of other stomach problems like vomiting and nausea. Basically, it is a medicated adhesive that’s meant to be placed on intact skin in order to deliver controlled doses of medication into the patient’s bloodstream via the skin. In fact, it is one of the best methods of administering medication over an extended period of time.
Key components of a pain patch include the liner, contact adhesive, drug reservoir, drug release membrane and clear backing that protect the patch from any adverse effects. It is indeed exceedingly fascinating to know that a skin patch is classified by FDA as a combination product because it consists of a medical device that combines with a drug (analgesic) that the device is designed to deliver, but come in different types.
Types of pain-relief patches:
1. Flector (Diclofenac epolamine)
A pain patch of this kind contains Flector, which is basically a NSAID (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) that falls under a popular class of painkillers that include aspirin, ibuprofen, and Aleve and naproxen. This medication is usually prescribed for any form of pain associated with muscle strain and sprain, or any other minor injury. It can be applied on the affected area, as long as the skin is not broken, or near the area if otherwise.
However, just like most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, patients using Flector skin patch might experience relatively increased chances for cardiovascular problems, such as stroke or heart attack. The risk of inflammation and irritation is also quite evident in the stomach or somewhere else along the digestive tract.
2. Fentanyl (Duragesic)
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid pain medication that can be used to treat moderate to severe pain, and is available as a generic drug. Unfortunately, it is highly recommended for use by patents with long-term, chronic pain. It can also be used with other analgesics, especially other oral opioids that have been tried and verified to be safe. It is for this reason that you shouldn’t use for short-term pain like headache or even pain after dental or surgical procedures.
Ideally, you should get medical help immediately if any serious side effects like fainting and seizure arise. Also, before using fentanyl transdermal patch, consult your doctor or pharmacist to check if you are allergic to it, particularly if its administration results in serious allergies. For instance, fentanyl pain patches may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other serious problems.
3. Lidoderm (Lidocaine)
Every so often prescribed for patients suffering from post-herpetic neuralgia, or rather pain of shingles, Lidoderm is a transdermal medication that’s considered as a local anesthetic. It is generally applied on the area where the pain is greatest, as long as the skin is unbroken. It is also imperative to note that this type of pain-relief patch is common with patients for arthritis pain. For instance, the patch can be applied directly over the joint causing the pain.
