Drug Information Update - Safe Disposal of Fentanyl Transdermal System “Patches”

The Division of Drug Information (DDI) is CDER's focal point for public inquiries. We serve the public by providing information on human drug products and drug product regulation by FDA.

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FDA is reminding patients who use fentanyl transdermal system pain patches (Duragesic and its generics) to always store, use, and dispose of them carefully to prevent unintended poisonings and other harm, especially to children and pets.
Fentanyl is a strong medicine used to relieve severe pain, and the patches should only be handled by the patient or the patient’s caregivers. Many patients don’t know that a patch they have worn for 3 days still contains enough fentanyl to cause harm, or even kill a child or pet.
Learn more about how to safely use and dispose of these patches and how to protect others by talking to your health care practitioner or pharmacist or by visiting FDA’s Fentanyl Transdermal System (marketed as Duragesic) Information and Disposal of Unused Medicines: What You Should Know web pages.