Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesTypesPrecautionsCommon Side EffectsSevere Side EffectsWarningsHow to Use
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Types
Precautions
Common Side Effects
Severe Side Effects
Warnings
How to Use
A pain patch is a medication-containing patch that is applied to the skin to manage acute (short-term) andchronic (long-term) pain. Some are available over the counter (OTC) and some require a prescription.
Depending on the type of pain patch you use, there can be concerns about side effects like allergic reactions, stroke, or the possibility of developing a drug dependence.
This article discusses pain patches, how they work, and what they are used to treat. It also explains how to use a pain patch, doses, and side effects.
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Benefits
Your healthcare provider may recommend a pain patch if you have pain that doesn’t respond well to oral medications or if you are unable to take drugs orally because of stomach irritation or other conditions.
Non-prescription pain patches may help treat minor pain such as:
Prescription pain patches may be used for moderate to severe pain such as:
Types of Pain Patches
The type of pain patch you should use depends on the type of pain you have and its severity. Your healthcare provider can recommend an OTC pain patch or prescribe something stronger if it’s needed.
Capsaicin
Non-prescription capsaicin patches are sold under a few different brand names, including Aspercreme Warming and Salonpas Pain Relieving Hot. Your healthcare provider may recommend an OTC capsaicin patch for mild arthritis pain, minor muscle sprains, minor back pain, etc.
Capsaicin patches are also available in prescription strength. These may be recommended to treat nerve pain such as the pain from diabetic neuropathy.
Lidocaine
Prescription lidocaine patches are often used for patients suffering from the pain of shingles (postherpetic neuralgia), which can last for months or years after an infection.
Diclofenac Epolamine
Studies have found that diclofenac patches are as effective as oral diclofenac in controlling pain.
Fentanyl
Healthcare providers may prescribe fentanyl patches for severe, chronic pain.
A 2018 study found that fentanyl patches were as effective as oral morphine in managing moderate to severe cancer pain with fewer side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.
Precautions and Contraindications
Before using a prescription pain-relief patch, talk with your healthcare provider about any allergies you have and if you’re taking any other medications or supplements. Also, tell your healthcare provider if you’re pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Some drugs may be safer for you to use than others depending on your medical history and the cause of your pain. Your healthcare provider can help you weigh the pros and cons of a medication, including its ability to manage pain and the risk of side effects.
Because fentanyl is a strong opioid, it can be addictive. As such, tell your healthcare provider if you or anyone in your family has abused alcohol, street drugs, or prescription medications, or if you have ever had depression or another mental illness.
Tell your healthcare provider if you have asthma or any condition with slowed breathing, as you may be advised not to use fentanyl patches.Also tell your healthcare provider if you’ve ever had lung disease, a head injury, or any condition that increases pressure in your brain.
Pain patches may have side effects depending on the type used. Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about what symptoms should warrant discontinuing the medication or seeking medical attention. If you are using a fentanyl patch, your healthcare provider will closely monitor you during treatment to check for any serious side effects.
In some cases, a patch can cause minor irritation, redness, blisters, nausea, or a burning sensation where it is applied.These symptoms are usually minor and go away within a few hours. Check with your healthcare provider if symptoms are severe or don’t go away.
Severe side effects are associated with the different types of patches.
Capsaicin Patches
Capsaicin patches may cause severe side effects such as:
Lidocaine Patches
Side effects from the lidocaine patch may include allergic reactions, such as:
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
NSAID Patches
NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and bleeding in the stomach or elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Seek medical attention if you have:
Fentanyl Patches
The fentanylpatch can cause severe side effects such as:
While you are using fentanyl patches, you may be told to have a rescue medication called naloxone available in case of overdose. When an opioid overdose is suspected, naloxone hydrochloride should be administered as soon as possible.
Symptoms of an overdose include:
Fentanyl Overdose Warnings
Using a fentanyl patch that has been cut or damaged may cause you to receive the medication too quickly rather than slowly over time and could lead to overdose or death.
If you experience any severe side effects or signs of an overdose from any medication, remove the patch and call 911.
Warnings and Contraindications
Be sure your healthcare provider is aware of any other medical conditions you have, including liver or kidney problems and high blood pressure, and any medications and supplements you’re taking.
Capsaicin Patch
Do not use capsaicin patches if you’re allergic to chili peppers or you’ve had an allergic reaction to topical capsaicin.
Capsaicin is unlikely to interact with other drugs, but always let your healthcare provider know about any OTC or prescription medications you take as well as any supplements you may be using.
Lidocaine Patch
Tell your healthcare provider if you are using any medications, including:
Diclofenac Epolamine Patch
Thediclofenac epolamine patch can interfere with the effects of other medications or cause drug interactions. Let your healthcare provider know if you’re using:
Fentanyl Patch
When using a fentanyl patch, do not drink alcohol or take street drugs, as it can increase the risk of severe side effects or death. Tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you’re using to avoid life-threatening interactions.
Drugs that can cause a serious interaction include benzodiazepines such as:
Not all drug interactions are listed here. Always let your healthcare provider know about any medicines or supplements you’re taking before you start using a fentanyl patch.
Fentanyl patches can be dangerous in the wrong hands or if applied improperly. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warnings about fentanyl patch safety after a number of accidental overdoses were reported.
Overdoses have occurred when more than one patch is used at a time, when a patient applies heat to the patch, and when a non-patient—such as a child—accidentally comes into contact with a patch. According to the FDA, young children have died from accidental exposure when putting it in their mouth or applying it to their skin.
In 2013, the FDA required color changes on the writing of Duragesic (fentanyl) patches. The change was made so patients could more easily see the patches and notice when they fall off to avoid accidental exposure to kids and pets.
How to Use Pain Patches
All listed dosages are according to the drug manufacturers. Check your prescription and talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you’re taking the right dose for you. Some common doses are as follows:
Patients should wash their hands before and after touching a patch to avoid contaminating the drug and to keep the drug from being applied to an unsafe area such as the eyes or mouth.
Store all pain patches at room temperature and away from excess heat. Like all medicines, pain-relief patches should also be stored away from children and pets.
Fentanyl patches are dangerous even after being used because they still contain high amounts of opioids. The best way to dispose of a used fentanyl patch is to fold it in half, so the adhesive side sticks to itself. A used patch should be flushed down the toilet.
Summary
Capsaicin and lidocaine patches are available without a prescription. Stronger versions containing these medications are also available. Other prescription products contain NSAIDs or fentanyl. These drugs may interact with other medications or cause severe side effects. Always tell your healthcare provider about other medications you may be taking before using a pain patch.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Capsaicin transdermal patch.National Library of Medicine.Lidocaine transdermal patch.Gudin J, Nalamachu S.Utility of lidocaine as a topical analgesic and improvements in patch delivery systems.Postgrad Med. 2020;132(1):28-36. doi:10.1080/00325481.2019.1702296Shinde VA, Kalikar M, Jagtap S.Efficacy and safety of oral diclofenac sustained release versus transdermal diclofenac patch in chronic musculoskeletal pain: A randomized, open label trial.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2017;8(4):166-171. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_35_17Samal D, Mishra N, Meher B, Kar IB, Kar R, Saipooja RH.Comparison of safety, efficacy, patient compliance and cost-effectiveness of transdermal, oral and intramuscular diclofenac for pain control following oral surgical procedures.J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2021;20(1):63-69. doi:10.1007/s12663-019-01260-7National Library of Medicine.Fentanyl transdermal patch.Wang DD, Ma TT, Zhu HD, Peng CB.Transdermal fentanyl for cancer pain: Trial sequential analysis of 3406 patients from 35 randomized controlled trials.J Cancer Res Ther. 2018;14(Supplement):S14-S21. doi:10.4103/0973-1482.171368Flector.General information about Flector.Huygen F, Kern KU, Pérez C.Expert opinion: Exploring the effectiveness and tolerability of capsaicin 179 mg cutaneous patch and pregabalin in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain.J Pain Res. 2020;13:2585-2597. doi:10.2147/JPR.S263054U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Accidental exposures to fentanyl patches continue to be deadly to children.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA requiring color changes to Duragesic (fentanyl).
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Library of Medicine.Capsaicin transdermal patch.National Library of Medicine.Lidocaine transdermal patch.Gudin J, Nalamachu S.Utility of lidocaine as a topical analgesic and improvements in patch delivery systems.Postgrad Med. 2020;132(1):28-36. doi:10.1080/00325481.2019.1702296Shinde VA, Kalikar M, Jagtap S.Efficacy and safety of oral diclofenac sustained release versus transdermal diclofenac patch in chronic musculoskeletal pain: A randomized, open label trial.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2017;8(4):166-171. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_35_17Samal D, Mishra N, Meher B, Kar IB, Kar R, Saipooja RH.Comparison of safety, efficacy, patient compliance and cost-effectiveness of transdermal, oral and intramuscular diclofenac for pain control following oral surgical procedures.J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2021;20(1):63-69. doi:10.1007/s12663-019-01260-7National Library of Medicine.Fentanyl transdermal patch.Wang DD, Ma TT, Zhu HD, Peng CB.Transdermal fentanyl for cancer pain: Trial sequential analysis of 3406 patients from 35 randomized controlled trials.J Cancer Res Ther. 2018;14(Supplement):S14-S21. doi:10.4103/0973-1482.171368Flector.General information about Flector.Huygen F, Kern KU, Pérez C.Expert opinion: Exploring the effectiveness and tolerability of capsaicin 179 mg cutaneous patch and pregabalin in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain.J Pain Res. 2020;13:2585-2597. doi:10.2147/JPR.S263054U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Accidental exposures to fentanyl patches continue to be deadly to children.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA requiring color changes to Duragesic (fentanyl).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Library of Medicine.Capsaicin transdermal patch.National Library of Medicine.Lidocaine transdermal patch.Gudin J, Nalamachu S.Utility of lidocaine as a topical analgesic and improvements in patch delivery systems.Postgrad Med. 2020;132(1):28-36. doi:10.1080/00325481.2019.1702296Shinde VA, Kalikar M, Jagtap S.Efficacy and safety of oral diclofenac sustained release versus transdermal diclofenac patch in chronic musculoskeletal pain: A randomized, open label trial.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2017;8(4):166-171. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_35_17Samal D, Mishra N, Meher B, Kar IB, Kar R, Saipooja RH.Comparison of safety, efficacy, patient compliance and cost-effectiveness of transdermal, oral and intramuscular diclofenac for pain control following oral surgical procedures.J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2021;20(1):63-69. doi:10.1007/s12663-019-01260-7National Library of Medicine.Fentanyl transdermal patch.Wang DD, Ma TT, Zhu HD, Peng CB.Transdermal fentanyl for cancer pain: Trial sequential analysis of 3406 patients from 35 randomized controlled trials.J Cancer Res Ther. 2018;14(Supplement):S14-S21. doi:10.4103/0973-1482.171368Flector.General information about Flector.Huygen F, Kern KU, Pérez C.Expert opinion: Exploring the effectiveness and tolerability of capsaicin 179 mg cutaneous patch and pregabalin in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain.J Pain Res. 2020;13:2585-2597. doi:10.2147/JPR.S263054U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Accidental exposures to fentanyl patches continue to be deadly to children.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA requiring color changes to Duragesic (fentanyl).
National Library of Medicine.Capsaicin transdermal patch.
National Library of Medicine.Lidocaine transdermal patch.
Gudin J, Nalamachu S.Utility of lidocaine as a topical analgesic and improvements in patch delivery systems.Postgrad Med. 2020;132(1):28-36. doi:10.1080/00325481.2019.1702296
Shinde VA, Kalikar M, Jagtap S.Efficacy and safety of oral diclofenac sustained release versus transdermal diclofenac patch in chronic musculoskeletal pain: A randomized, open label trial.J Pharmacol Pharmacother. 2017;8(4):166-171. doi:10.4103/jpp.JPP_35_17
Samal D, Mishra N, Meher B, Kar IB, Kar R, Saipooja RH.Comparison of safety, efficacy, patient compliance and cost-effectiveness of transdermal, oral and intramuscular diclofenac for pain control following oral surgical procedures.J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2021;20(1):63-69. doi:10.1007/s12663-019-01260-7
National Library of Medicine.Fentanyl transdermal patch.
Wang DD, Ma TT, Zhu HD, Peng CB.Transdermal fentanyl for cancer pain: Trial sequential analysis of 3406 patients from 35 randomized controlled trials.J Cancer Res Ther. 2018;14(Supplement):S14-S21. doi:10.4103/0973-1482.171368
Flector.General information about Flector.
Huygen F, Kern KU, Pérez C.Expert opinion: Exploring the effectiveness and tolerability of capsaicin 179 mg cutaneous patch and pregabalin in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain.J Pain Res. 2020;13:2585-2597. doi:10.2147/JPR.S263054
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Accidental exposures to fentanyl patches continue to be deadly to children.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.FDA Drug Safety Communication: FDA requiring color changes to Duragesic (fentanyl).
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