I would smoke it. Transdermal application is intended to take at least 12 hours before absorption with peak absorption at about 24 hours. The prescribing information also says it should be worn for 72 hours.
" Due to the mean half-life of approximately 20-27 hours, patients who are thought to have had a serious adverse event, including overdose, will require monitoring and treatment for at least 24 hours. "
A couple months ago I thought I had built my tolerance up enough to wear a 50 mcg/h patch. At about hour 12 I thought I was gonna die. I took it off. This is coming from an opiate lover. Back when my tolerance was higher, I am sure it would not have had this affect.
"DURAGESIC® should ONLY be used in patients who are already receiving opioid therapy, who have demonstrated opioid tolerance, and who require a total daily dose at least equivalent to DURAGESIC®
25 mcg/h [So multiply the following by 3, than .22. (1 inch is about 22% of total area 75 mcg/h patch, assuming equal and constant distribution between 25mcg/h and 75mch/h patches. 25mcg = 10cm squared, 50mcg = 20 cm 75mcg = 30 cm, 100 mcg = 40)]. Patients who are considered opioid-tolerant are those who have been taking, for a week or longer, at least 60
(39.6) mg of morphine daily, or at least 30
(19.8) mg of oral oxycodone daily, or at least 8
(5.28) mg of oral hydromorphone daily, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid."
http://www.rxlist.com/duragesic-drug.htm
I know ^this is probably ultra safe, but still.
Overall, I don't like it anyway... It is too sleepy of a buzz for my taste.
Be careful. Smoking is faster and you can titrate the dose easier.