fent tapering

[Dune]

What is the best way to taper down fent? I would like to get back to a point where I can get a nod off my breakthrough meds again. It doesn't help that I only get Norco 10/325's, but it used to work. I have the Mylan 100mcg's and was wondering if cutting them down simply reduces the mcg's/hour or if it alters the delivery speed in another way. I wear them and change every 48hrs, but think I will do fine at 50mcg. If that will work how often should I drop the dosage and by what percentage.

Does this seem strange that my Dr. would perscribe the fent that way, but refuse to give me any stronger breakthrough meds. I am going to a PM Dr. next week and would like some advice on how to approach him about getting roxi's instead. My liver enzymes are already elevated, so this seems like a logical choice for BT med. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks guys(and gals)!

[Dan Steely]

Cutting them into progressively smaller pieces works very well. I've kicked three times doing exactly that. Every 3-4 days you can comfortably reduce your dose by 1/3. You should be able to taper completely down with 2 patches.

[Young Professor]

Cutting them into progressively smaller pieces works very well. I've kicked three times doing exactly that. Every 3-4 days you can comfortably reduce your dose by 1/3. You should be able to taper completely down with 2 patches.

I don't mean to disagree, but that's an awful fast taper. May work for someone who hasn't used long, but if you're a CP patient and have some history with the patch, it's gonna take longer. I would also recommend tapering slower, but that's just me.

With the Mylans, you can cut them and get almost exactly the proportion you want. Can't cut the gel filled, however.

Good luck.

YP

[Dan Steely]

I don't mean to disagree, but that's an awful fast taper. May work for someone who hasn't used long, but if you're a CP patient and have some history with the patch, it's gonna take longer. I would also recommend tapering slower, but that's just me.

With the Mylans, you can cut them and get almost exactly the proportion you want. Can't cut the gel filled, however.

Good luck.

YP

The 1/3 dose drop every three days is a fairly well accepted rate for a taper but of course every individual tolerates discomfort differently.

Dropping dose 1/3 every three days would take just over a month while doing so every 4 days would be 1.5 months.

What would you consider a more reasonable time frame and what has been your experience with tapering?

[Dune]

I have been on them for about 4 months now, quickly working my way up from the bottom with each doctor visit. They are great for pain control, but have ruined my ability to get a nod. I don't want to use them up trying to nod off of them, just to be in W/D's at the end of the month. I would like to try and maintain at a lower level so I can enjoy my other meds. Like the 20mg/ml oral morphine SWIM just scored. Thanks for the advice.