Fentanyl Patch Cost
The Fentanyl patch, the generic version of the branded Duragesic, is a pain relieving patch, often used to treat persistent to chronic pain and is only prescribed for those who have been taking either an opioid or narcotic pain medicine for more than a week.
Originally created as an anesthetic to be used during surgery, it was then created into a small patch, the size of a small Band-Aid, more than a decade ago as a way to allow the medication to be released transdermally over time to help those suffering from severe chronic pain.
Classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, it can be highly effective for some but addictive for others.
How much does the Fentanyl patch cost?
The cost of the Fentanyl patch, being a prescription, will depend on a few factors, including the pharmacy you use, your health insurance policy (if you have it) and the dosage/quantity prescribed by your doctor. With a variety of options available, we included the costs we were quoted in our table below.
| Dosage | Average Price (without insurance) |
|---|---|
| 1 carton of 5 12mcg/hr patches | $30-$60 |
| 1 carton of 5 25mcg/hr patches | $25-$40 |
| 1 carton of 5 50mcg/hr patches | $35-$55 |
| 1 carton of 5 75mcg/hr patches | $50-$65 |
| 1 carton of 5 100mcg/hr patches | $55-$70 |
As for those who do have a health insurance policy, it appears from our research that almost all policies, including 99% of Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans will cover the drug, with the average health insurance holder paying as little as a $5 co-pay. Since there are hundreds of policies out there, it can be hard to offer an exact cost for your specific plan, and for that reason, we recommend you either check your health insurance company’s online drug database to see what you may pay or contact your health insurance company directly for more information as to what you will be responsible for.
Fentanyl patch overview
The Fentanyl patch, a strong narcotic analgesic, is designed to help treat severe pain, including following a surgery and when server chronic pain needs to be alleviated around the clock, by acting on the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve any pain. The patch, as per the medication guide, should not be used when pain medicine is only required for a short period of time, such as after a tonsil or dental surgery.
Dosing amounts will vary from patient to patient and for the reason for prescribing, with your doctor determining which dosage of patch you need based on your present daily narcotic dosage; however, for adults, your doctor will often ask you apply the patch to your skin for 72 hours, but during this time, your doctor may adjust the duration/dosage. Keep in mind that this is the average dosage, and again, your dosages may vary. Regardless, always follow your doctor’s orders, meaning you should never take more, less or stop taking without first consulting with your doctor. It is very easy to overdose on fentanyl if you are a novice user, according to Raffi Balian via CBC.ca.
How do you use the Fentanyl patch?
The patch will be applied to the skin, but it’s extremely important you do not cut or damage the patch as this can cause you to receive too much medicine. When applying, choose a dry and clean area of your skin above your waist on either your front or back, with the back often being a good choice for either children or those who may be at risk of removing it for no reason. Never apply the patch to oily, broken, burned, cut and/or irritated skin and only use water to clean the area before applying. Avoid using alcohol or soap as this can often increase the effects of the medicine.
When applying, take the patch out of its wrapper, take off the protective strip over the sticky part, but make sure you do not touch the sticky part with your fingers while doing so. Also, make sure the patch is in good shape, making sure the packaging or backing is damaged; if so, you will not want to use it. Press the sticky part against the skin for at least 30 seconds and wash your hands immediately after.
When it’s time to take the old patch off, you will remove it, fold the patch in half and dispose of it by flushing it down the toilet, according to the FDA. Never throw away in the trash.
Fentanyl patch side effects
Side effects may include allergic reactions, breathing problems, confusion, low blood pressure symptoms, trouble passing urine, constipation, dry mouth, itching at the patch site, nausea and/or tiredness. This is not a full list of all noted side effects; to view more, you can do so via this FDA guide. As always, if you experience any side effects, contact your doctor immediately.
How long does fentanyl stay in your system?
When taken intravenously, fentanyl has an elimination half-life of two to four hours in adults, which essentially means if can take up to 24 hours to completely leave your system; however, fentanyl can show up in a hair test for up to 90 days after using.
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Average Reported Cost: $10
How much did you spend?
- T (Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia) paid $10 and said:
50 mcg fentanyl patches — 1 month supply $10 copay with insurance.
Even the 37.5 mcg patches for 1 month supply is a $10 copay with insurance.
Good Rx is ripping people off on the 37.5 mcg because it has been the formula for several years.
Price from The Physicians Spine and Rehabilitation of Atlanta.
Was it worth it? Yes
