Chronic Pain
"I am a university-affiliated clinical pharmacist who oversees the healthcare of several elderly patients - some of whom suffer from severe chronic pain resulting from a variety of clinical conditions.  In my experience, transdermal fentanyl patches only occassionaly provide satisfactory pain relief over the full 72 hr period - assuming the dose has been properly titrated.  I have seen the best results by using multiple, lower-dose patches.  For example, if a patient requires a 75 mcg patch, better results are obtained by using 3 x 25 mcg patches - with patch #2 added on day 2 and patch #3 added on day 3 (and with each patch being left in place for a full 72 hrs).  This gives better control + fewer side effects."