Fentanyl: Off-Label Usage?

[exists]

Hi everyone,

I've got some neck pain, but have run out of oxycodone. All I have left are some Watson fentanyl patches. (Gifted to me; they would have been thrown out otherwise.)

Some info from the package:

One (100 mcg/h) System
In vivo delivery of 100 mcg/h fentanyl for 72 hours
Each transdermal system contains: 10 mg fentanyl and 0.4 mL alcohol USP
Inactive Ingredients: Hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethylene vinyl-acetate copolymer, silicone adhesive between backings
EXP 12/2014

I have no tolerance to opiates at this time. I heard that extreme caution must be taken with fentanyl, which is why I'm here.

Obviously, simply applying the patch to my skin is out of the question, as the dose would be much too high. How can I take some of this without suffering dire consequences? Can I just remove whatever is inside, cut it into squares, and suck on one?

From http://www.drugs.com/dosage/fentanyl.html :

Usual Adult Dose for Pain

FENTANYL TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
Initial dose: 25 mcg/hour patch (unless opioid tolerance) every 72 hours.

FENTANYL TRANSMUCOSAL:
Initial dose: 200 mcg, place in mouth (between cheek and lower gum) and suck over 15 minutes (do not chew or swallow).

So, if a 10 mg patch contains 10,000 mcg fentanyl, and a dose is 200 mcg, then each patch would contain 50 doses, right? So could I safely cut the patch into 49 or 50 squares, and try one of them? Is there a possibility that the fentanyl is unevenly distributed over the patch? (I have no idea what's really in there, it could be a squishy layer of goo for all I know.)

Also, what kind of alcohol do such patches usually contain? If it's methanol, should it be evaporated before placing it into my mouth?

Or should I just forget the whole idea altogether and live with the pain?

 

[shinty]

Don't mess with fentanyl if you have no tolerance to speak of. Your asking for trouble.

 

[T. Calderone]

If you ran out of your oxycodone prescription, talk with your doctor. Fentanyl patches aren't safe to eat either.

 

[exists]

Thanks guys. I'll probably just destroy the patches.

 

[Hiltoniano]

There may be a way but yea it is obviously playing with fire and your life even. Also just for the sense of HR and correctness, the patches contain more than the amount listed on the dose. Like extra fent because as the patch is worn, they don't want the absorption a rate to go down cuz of the loss from the patch so they use extra total. A used up patch worn for 72 hrs as prescribed contains lethal amounts of fent still after it's "used up". Good call on destroying then

 

[Bodycount22]

That's all bull! I'm 25 and Im prescribed 2x75 mcg fentanyl every 2 days. Which equals one 75 patch every day. They are not any more dangerous than anything else as long as Ur not a dumbass about it and handle it with care and caution. If I were u the best way is to cut a peice about the size of an eraser on the end of a pencil. Peel plastic and attach adhesive side to clean uncrinkled aluminum foil. Find a pen and pull out the guts so that you can hoot thru it. Slowly light under your foil until the patch bubbles and change colours and at the same time inhale the smoke. I have friends who have never done opiates and they have started this way and many didn't even feel it but it's better to be safe than sorry! Slowly increase Ur dose and wait for 15-20 mins between each toke. I'm about to smoke half a 100mcg patch and I've done it more times than you could imagine. Everyone is different but as long as you have a head on Ur shoulders and remain mature through it no matter how high you get there is little to no risk. Fentanyl doesn't give a rush like other opiates and has more of a sedative affect so keep this in mind! Enjoy

 

[The.Ghost]

Taking an entire dose at once like that is very dangerous, especially for non-tolerant people. There's no absolute guarantee that the fent is evenly distributed throughout the whole patch, especially if it's one of the gel-types. You can't be 100% certain how much you're smoking, and fent is very unforgiving, dose-wise. Patches are meant to steadily administer it at a certain rate; shotgunning it is begging for a trip to the morgue. Sorry if I come off as harsh, but this is not one to be screwed around with.

 

[T. Calderone]

That's all bull! I'm 25 and Im prescribed 2x75 mcg fentanyl every 2 days. Which equals one 75 patch every day. They are not any more dangerous than anything else as long as Ur not a dumbass about it and handle it with care and caution. If I were u the best way is to cut a peice about the size of an eraser on the end of a pencil. Peel plastic and attach adhesive side to clean uncrinkled aluminum foil. Find a pen and pull out the guts so that you can hoot thru it. Slowly light under your foil until the patch bubbles and change colours and at the same time inhale the smoke. I have friends who have never done opiates and they have started this way and many didn't even feel it but it's better to be safe than sorry! Slowly increase Ur dose and wait for 15-20 mins between each toke. I'm about to smoke half a 100mcg patch and I've done it more times than you could imagine. Everyone is different but as long as you have a head on Ur shoulders and remain mature through it no matter how high you get there is little to no risk. Fentanyl doesn't give a rush like other opiates and has more of a sedative affect so keep this in mind! Enjoy

This is reckless advice given the OP is looking for pain relief and said he has no tolerance.
We are a harm reduction forum so please familiarize yourself with the forum rules.

 

[exists]

Taking an entire dose at once like that is very dangerous, especially for non-tolerant people. There's no absolute guarantee that the fent is evenly distributed throughout the whole patch, especially if it's one of the gel-types. You can't be 100% certain how much you're smoking, and fent is very unforgiving, dose-wise. Patches are meant to steadily administer it at a certain rate; shotgunning it is begging for a trip to the morgue. Sorry if I come off as harsh, but this is not one to be screwed around with.

All good reasons for why I can't go through with it. There are too many unknown variables present, and with fentanyl's high potency (in the microgram range!), the chances of something going wrong are just too high.

Perhaps if I were able to extract the fentanyl and weigh the doses using a microgram scale, then I could feel confident in making use of the patches. But since have no scale, and I lack the knowledge required to extract the fent, there's no other choice for me than to give up on the prospect altogether!

 

[Survival0200]

I wouldn't try to abuse the patches.

And even if you decided to wear them (as they're meant to be used) - 100 mcg/h is still too much for someone with no tolerance.

Usually non-tolerant people are prescribed the 12 mcg/h version, or 25 mcg/h at most.

 

[crzydiamond]

Not sure if those are the gel or nongel, but if they are the nongel they can be cut into smaller pieces and worn. (Gel ones I have cut in half before n sealed the opening but obviously you can't cut those into many pieces)

I have abused them by putting them in my mouth as well--oddest thing about that is that some brands are extremely effective that way while others are not.

If you don't have a high tolerance, and they are nongel, you can cut it into 8 pieces and try wearing one, it would be about 12.5 mcg/hr, which is the lowest starting dose available in patches, and if you are accustomed to oxy not a dangerous dose IMO

I used/abused these patches for well over a year straight...someone above said something about not being sure if the nongel ones are evenly distributed...In my experience they are, I have used even small pieces buccally and always had predictable effects...it was never strong with one piece and nothing with another. Just my experience...