Are Butrans patches good for long term chronic pain?

[andyhobbitj]

I have been told by the NHS pain management clinic at my local hospital to try Butrans 7 day patches. Has anyone tried these patches and could let me know if they work.I have a 20 year back problem, have had many steroid injections and nerve blocks, many different drug therapies and physical therapy. I am currently taking 8 co-codamol 30/500 tablets,900mg gabapentin and up to 6 Baclofen a day, occasionally amitriptaline to help me sleep. I can't take anti-inflamatories anymore due to stomache problems with them. I get very little side effects on opiates generally and my current painkillers only deaden the pain for about 2 hours. How does Butrans patches rate against codeine for nerve pain? Any other ideas on treatment to help with the pain would be appreciated.
  Andy

[Goddess36]

I have been using the Butrans patches now for over 1 year I am using a 20 mcg and a 5 mcg they work great! I got them from the NHS Pain management team which has helped me quite a bit! I get my steroid injections and a few trigger spots then use the patches and I feel like I use to before my injury. So far I don't get any side effects besides a bit itching by the patches now and again. I have to say that the patches have given me a quality of life that I have not had for a long time.

I use to take 8-cocodamols 30/500 with the baclofen, and gabipenten nothing worked. Butrans patches allow me to get out of bed in the morning and I can go to work and do the job I love.

Now I only use the patches, baclofen and paracetamol. Good luck!!

Goddess36

[kaz66]

Thank you so so much for all your help and advice.now i know why i feel so odd after takeing the co-codamal.I am not going to take any more and just give the patches a chance to work hopefully..thank you again and have a great,peacefull wknd..best wishes kaz.

[Astray]

Kaz - I've done some digging around the net about your original question. I think you should have discussion with your doctor. Firstly because of this warning given your blood test results show liver damage:

Hepatic impairment:

Buprenorphine is metabolised in the liver. The intensity and duration of its action may be affected in patients with impaired liver function. Therefore patients with hepatic insufficiency should be carefully monitored during treatment with BuTrans.

Patients with severe hepatic impairment may accumulate buprenorphine during BuTrans treatment. Consideration of alternate therapy should be considered, and BuTrans should be used with caution, if at all, in such patients.

The other thing I found was this which suggests the Co-Codamol isn't a very good idea to use at the same time as the patch regardless:

BuTrans should be used cautiously with: Other central nervous system depressants: other opioid derivatives (analgesics and antitussives containing e.g. morphine, dextropropoxyphene, codeine, dextromethorphan or noscapine). Certain antidepressants, sedative H1-receptor antagonists, alcohol, anxiolytics, neuroleptics, clonidine and related substances. These combinations increase the CNS depressant activity.

Now its probably nothing to worry about but its worth a chat with your GP I think.

[kaz66]

Thank you for your advice.I just got my blood results and the doc is worried about my liver.i dont drink at all and havent for many years.i have been takeing a lot of co-codamal so maybe thats why my liver is bad.I was a bit shocked when doc told me about my liver.i didnt even drink much when i was young,im now 47.thanks again so much.

[Astray]

Kaz I can't answer your question about using both at once, don't know the answer sorry.

I just wanted to say PLEASE be careful not to exceed the stated dose of the Co-Codamol. As well the codeine it contains 500mg of paracetamol (acetaminophen) per tablet and its very easy to destroy your liver with that. In fact its the leading cause of acute liver failure.

[kaz66]

im on 10mg of butrans and still in pian..can i take my cocodamal with the patches? thanks k..pls anwser A.S.A.P