Transdermal patches are designed to address a variety of problems from smoking cessation to controlling pain. The patches dispense small doses of medication on a continuous basis through the skin. Occasionally, individuals will experience problems that result from wearing the patches; sometimes the problem is as simple as a sensitivity to the adhesive on the patch.
Fentanyl Transdermal Patch
The fentanyl transdermal patch is prescribed for controlling moderate to severe persistent pain. Fentanyl is an opioid-based narcotic that is released through the skin and into the bloodstream around the clock.
In July of 2005 the FDA issued an advisory on the safe use of the fentanyl patch indicating that it was being prescribed inappropriately to patients who are experiencing acute pain following surgery or for patients who only have occasional or mild pain. Patients were inappropriately using the patch by applying more patches than prescribed. Patients were also found to be applying heat to the patch, which resulted in dangerously high levels of fentanyl being released into the blood.
Side effects from using this type of patch include difficulty breathing, swallowing or slow breathing, feeling dizzy, feeling faint, trouble walking, trouble talking, slowed heartbeat, confusion, severe sleepiness and death as a result of opioid intolerance or misuse.
Estradiol Transdermal Patch
Hormone replacement therapy and steroids are customary treatments for menopause. The estradiol transdermal patch can cause some very serious side effects because of the estrogen they contain. One area of concern is that use of this patch can increase the chance of endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus), but this risk can be limited by taking progestin when using estrogen products. However, estrogens have been found to increase the risk of cancer in ovaries and have been connected to dementia, stroke and blood clots in the legs. Estrogen when combined with progestin can sometimes cause heart attacks, stroke and serious blood clots. The FDA recommends using this patch at the lowest dosage possible for a minimal amount of time.
Nicotine Patches
Nicotine patches are designed to aid in the cessation of smoking and are distributed under a variety of brand names (NicoDerm CQ, Nicotrol and Habitrol). The patches come in a variety of strengths with a specific amount of nicotine that is embedded in the pad or in a gel. The side effects that people experience are not from wearing the patch, but from attempting to quit smoking, and include anger, anxiety, irritability, inability to concentrate or frustration. Side effects that may be the result of wearing the patch include an elevation in blood pressure, nausea, skin redness or itching or burning sensation at the application site. Nicotine patch users are cautioned against using tobacco while wearing the patch to prevent nicotine overdose.
Scopolamine Patch
Scopolamine is used to treat muscular, intestinal or stomach problems. This patch is used to prevent vomiting and nausea resulting from motion sickness. Scopolamine patches are prescribed because the patch is associated with fewer side effects than those experienced when the drug is administered in other ways. Scopolamine intoxication can cause migraine headaches, dry mouth, photophobia, nausea, dizziness, disorientation, hallucinations, and paranoia. Scopolamine-induced psychosis has been found in elderly patients who use this patch.
Ortho-Evra Birth Control Patch
The Ortho-Evra (birth control) patch releases hormones into the blood stream and is exposes the user to around 60 percent more estrogen than using only birth control pills. The increase of estrogen could cause an increase in developing side effects from use of this product. Thrombosis (blood clots) can develop in the legs and/or lungs along with the possibility of stroke and heart attacks (particularly in women over the age of 35) if the individual smokes while using the birth control patch.
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