A fentanyl transdermal patch labeled 12 micrograms/hour.
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About Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a potent opioid. Pharmaceutical patches and procedural products must be distinguished from illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
Also searched as: Fentanyl · Duragesic · Actiq · Abstral
Available strengths
Strength is the amount in a tablet, capsule, liquid or patch. Different formulations are listed separately.
| Product & formulation | Strengths |
|---|---|
| Fentanyl Transdermal patch | 12 mcg/hour · 25 mcg/hour · 37.5 mcg/hour · 50 mcg/hour · 62.5 mcg/hour · 75 mcg/hour · 100 mcg/hour These are delivery rates, not milligrams per patch. For opioid-tolerant patients only. Listed strengths reflect this label, not every manufacturer. Product label · Checked 2026-10-31 |
Buy Fentanyl: pricing & legal access
Fentanyl online: availability & product information
Saved U.S. price estimates from Drugs.com for the exact products and quantities below. These are dated estimates, not live pharmacy quotes or insurance copays. Discounts and local availability vary.
| Product / strength | Quantity | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Generic fentanyl 50 mcg/mL Injectable solution | 20 mL | $11.63 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
| Generic fentanyl 50 mcg/hour Transdermal film (patch) | 5 patches | $52.85 Drugs.com published cash estimate Drugs.com price guide Checked 2026-10-31 |
Prices refer to medication only; consultation, administration and monitoring costs may be additional. Prescription products require a valid prescription and a licensed pharmacy. Check the exact formulation before comparing offers.
Fentanyl information
Uses and formulations
This reference focuses on transdermal patches for selected opioid-tolerant patients with persistent severe pain. It does not describe interchangeable uses for all fentanyl products.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Fentanyl patches
Side effects and serious risks
Patches can cause nausea, constipation and severe respiratory depression. Accidental exposure, including to a used patch, can harm children and others.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Fentanyl patches
Dosage and directions
Patch eligibility and dosing require a prescriber. Never cut a patch. External heat can increase absorption and overdose risk.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Fentanyl patches
Interactions and precautions
Alcohol and sedatives increase danger. Tell the care team about fever, breathing disorders and all medicines.
Sources: MedlinePlus — Fentanyl patches
U.S. federal classification
Listed federally in Schedule II. Classification does not by itself establish that a particular product is approved or that an online transaction is lawful. State requirements and product-specific rules also apply.
Sources: DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
Pharmacology and mechanism
Fentanyl is an opioid receptor agonist. A transdermal system delivers medicine through the skin over an extended period. Delivery can continue after application and is affected by heat exposure.
Sources: DailyMed — Fentanyl transdermal prescribing information
Formulations and product identification
The active ingredient alone does not describe a finished product. These distinctions matter when reading a label or comparing prescriptions.
| Product or formulation | Important distinction |
|---|---|
| Transdermal patch | For selected opioid-tolerant patients; not an as-needed rescue medicine. |
| Other medical formulations | Procedural and other specialty products have separate eligibility and administration requirements. |
Sources: DailyMed — Fentanyl transdermal prescribing information
Monitoring and treatment follow-up
Monitor for excessive sleepiness and respiratory depression, especially during initiation or a prescription change. Fever, heat exposure and interacting medicines can change risk. Used patches can still contain clinically important amounts of medicine.
Sources: DailyMed — Fentanyl transdermal prescribing information
Dependence and stopping treatment
Physical dependence may occur with continued treatment. Removing a patch does not immediately remove all fentanyl from the body. Discontinuation and switching require a plan that accounts for delayed absorption and the patient’s opioid exposure.
Sources: DailyMed — Fentanyl transdermal prescribing information
How it differs from related medicines
A patch, a hospital injection and illicitly manufactured fentanyl are not interchangeable product contexts. Patch strength describes a delivery rate rather than a tablet-style dose; copying numbers between these products is clinically inappropriate.
Sources: DailyMed — Fentanyl transdermal prescribing information
Sources and editorial notes
Prepared by DrugRX using the references linked below. Sources were consulted on 2026-10-31. This page has not been independently reviewed by a clinician. Research findings, medication approval and legal permission are separate questions.
- MedlinePlus — Fentanyl patches
- DEA — Controlled substances alphabetical list (October 2026)
- DailyMed — Fentanyl transdermal prescribing information
- Drugs.com — fentanyl price guide
Legal information is a dated U.S. reference. Product rules and local laws may change. Where the evidence does not establish a dose, interaction profile or price, the page states that limitation.