• BASIC DRUG
    DISCUSSION
    Welcome to Bluelight!
    Posting Rules Bluelight Rules
    Benzo Chart Opioids Chart
    Drug Terms Need Help??
    Drugs 101 Brain & Addiction
    Tired of your habit? Struggling to cope?
    Want to regain control or get sober?
    Visit our Recovery Support Forums
  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Fentanyl question

shpongle1987

Bluelighter
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
520
Location
NY
I took a 50mcg/hr patch at about 12am last night and the patch says 72 hours....so does the 72 include the time waiting for the drugs to kick in or does the 72 hours mean 72 hours from the time you start feeling it. Thanks for nay feedback:)
 
There should be 72 hours of "pain relief" nobody can tell you how long you're going to be high for.
 
50mcg/hr means that the patch lets 50 micrograms of fentanyl pass through the patches membrane into your skin per hour for 72 hours. This would mean that you would start measuring the time from the moment you put it on because thats when the fentanyl starts releasing into your body.
 
^Yes. When you consume fentanyl transdermally, your skin immediately starts to absorb the fentanyl as soona s you slap the patch on. Now the thing is, that once your skin absorbs it, it takes some time from that point for it to travel to your bloodstream. That's why it can take 8+ hours for you to start feeling it.

If you are going specifically for pain relief, you just have to give it time to start working. You can use a heating element like a heating blanket to speed up absorption.

Alternatively, you can cut the patch into strips and use them buccally (in your cheek, like chewing tobacco). This method makes you feel it MUCH faster and it is easier to gauge your dose.
 
the patches contain extra fentanyl for variables as well. the 72 hours in not a concrete number, it's the frame of reference when used as designed.

after the patch has been applied (and left as is) it takes around 12 hours on average to reach the peak plasma levels in your body.

as a subjective opinion: when using fentanyl (polymer matrix, not the reservoir) patches for PM i could usually get up to an extra 24hrs use from them on occasion (if i really had to, extenuating circumstances kinda thing) before having to change because of pain levels/wd's.
 
the patches contain extra fentanyl for variables as well. the 72 hours in not a concrete number, it's the frame of reference when used as designed.

after the patch has been applied (and left as is) it takes around 12 hours on average to reach the peak plasma levels in your body.

^This.

I once had it described to me like this: Once applied, the fentanyl begins to be absorbed from the patch into your skin. Once there, it "pools" and releases into the bloodstream slowly over many hours. Now, I'm not sure how entirely accurate this description is but it has always made sense to me, and is at the very least a decent way to imagine how it might actually work.

It is also quite important that you leave it alone after it's on. Don't try to remove and re-apply. It gums up the works of the patch and will reduce the adhesives sticky quality, making it a bitch to get back on.

as a subjective opinion: when using fentanyl (polymer matrix, not the reservoir) patches for PM i could usually get up to an extra 24hrs use from them on occasion (if i really had to, extenuating circumstances kinda thing) before having to change because of pain levels/wd's.

I have had similar experiences, leaving a patch on for an extra day when circumstances called for doing so. It's not nearly as effective but it will certainly get you by if need be.

As BrokedownPalace mentioned you can apply heat to the patch to speed the release of the drug, but do it in short on/off intervals. Don't go overboard because you can and will blister yourself pushing through the pain. Trust me.
 
I once had it described to me like this: Once applied, the fentanyl begins to be absorbed from the patch into your skin. Once there, it "pools" and releases into the bloodstream slowly over many hours. Now, I'm not sure how entirely accurate this description is but it has always made sense to me, and is at the very least a decent way to imagine how it might actually work.

the dose response curve

dose_response.gif
 
Safe to sleep with fent patch on?

I took a patch about 15s hours ago...deff feel the effects but they arent totally overwhelming but im deff nodding a bit. Im kind of tired seeing as ive been up all day and i was just wondering if if was same to go to sleep for about 6 hours. Any info? thanks.
 
It really depends on your tolerance whether or not it's safe to sleep with the patch on. If this is your first time using fentanyl, and if you don't have a monster tolerance, I think it would probably be in your best interest to remove the patch before going to sleep.
 
Top