I have been prescribed lidoderm patch but they will not stay attached - any suggestions?

Staying attached is the key issue with generic lidocaine patches. In particular Teva Pharmaceutical's patches are beyond awful. The brand-name patches from Endo worked great for me for years, but then they were discontinued. However, they are now sold as generics by Par Pharmaceuticals (an Endo subsidiary). Currently these are available through CVS but not Walgreens/ExpressScripts. Another good alternative is Amneal Pharmaceuticals, but they are experiencing supply chain issues (early summer 2023).

I know this is a late answer to this question. I just stumbled onto the site.
I was prescribed lidocaine 5% patches and I too was having a rough time in keeping them in place. My solution was paper surgery tape AND ( mine are for my hips and lower back) I found spandex shorts that are very comfortable and keep the patches in place during my sleep time. Hope this helps or gets your imagination working overtime :)

You must get the Qualitest/Par generic version to get a true equivalent to the brand. The Actavis also contains the correct amount id adhesive and drug, and is the next best option. The Mylar contains a total of 140 mg vs 700 mg in Lidoderm, so it does not stick and does not work. To say they are identical because they are all 5% is incorrect. It means all contain 5 mg of Lidocaine per gram of adhesive. If the patch you are given contains 1/5 of the amount of adhesive it should, it is not surprising that it does not stick, and does not work, as it also contains 1/5 the amount of drug. It is misleading and incorrect for these to be called equivalent. In my mind it is fraudulent, and it is causing harm.

I have the exact same problem. I've used pain patches from several different companies this one is by far the worst. I even taped it on with Duct tape and it still was not very effective. The pharmacy would not take them back but the pharmacist did request a different brand. So tell your doctor about the problem he may represcribed them and talk to your pharmacist about it take one with you and show them the problem

I aslo use lidocaine patches. I use them on my my shoulders and wrists. I use bandaids, of all things. They keep my patches on very well.

P. S. Just wanted to clear something up--I mentioned a flexpatch--that's incorrect. It was Flector Patch. They stay on real well.

I'm having the same problem. My skin is very dry and I don't sweat much, so that isn't the problem. And my patches go on my back where it's VERY hard to reach. I had a brand called Flexpatch and it was hard to get off, it stuck so well.

If anyone comes up with a solution, please post it. thanks

The pill is initially the same thing. Has common side effects and results. You still are 3 weeks on, 1 week off. Only difference is you have to take the pill daily.
I had similar issues when I first started using the patch. Use alcohol to clean & dehyrated (take out oils) the skin where you are going to put on the patch and let the area completely dry before placing it somewhere on your torso. Remember to bend while putting it on if it will be in an area that naturally stretches.

Hi, I just picked up my patches a few days ago and had the same problem. I called the company directly. They said to clean the skin with alcohol prior to putting it on. Make sure it is dry and apply. She said to rub the patch for about 2 minutes to make sure it is making 100% contact. That's all she said. So, I bought cloth medical tape and covered each side and then criss crossed it with the tape. That worked. My area is my right hip so lots of bending and sitting. I think wearing some type if compression garmet over it would help too. I bought compression therapy shorts that I wear under my clothes. Also, and this is no joke... Duct tape works too with no skin issues. Hope that helps!

Good answers above, also, where is the patch located? Can you use a piece of clothing to hold it in place? There is also a medical sticky stuff called benzoin, which is a liquid, and sticks things to your skin. They have given that to me to hold stuff on that doesn't stick. Best wishes to you!! I know how valuable those patches are!

Hello Rena,

At your local pharmacy ask the pharmacist about Tegaderm, it is the same dressing tape used for IVs and sticks really well. It also comes in many different sizes. I believe you can order it online as well

Good luck!,
pamee

Make sure that the skin is clean and as oil free as possible before applying. Lidocaine is available in an ointment. It works pretty much like the patch but it is much messier and greasy and you have a much greater liklihood of exposing someone else to the medication from skin to skin contact. I have used both. I have trouble getting the patches to stick too. Tape does help sometimes but I find it doesnt stick too well either. When I put one on, I make sure to hold my warm hand over the areas smoothing down the patch allowing the warmth from my hand and my back to help the adhesives to seal well. I have cleaned the area with alcohol then rinsed with water prior to applying but I'm not sure that you are supposed to do this. I know with Fentanyl patches it is a no-no to use alcohol or soap to the area prior to applying but I couldnt find anything in the lidocaine literature that says you cant do this.

Rena Use the tape that is used for bandages to tape these patches on. That may help to keep them on and stretched.

Be sure the area is clean and very dry. If it's an area that bends or stretches, be sure the skin is in the stretched or bent position first, because if the skin is loose when you apply the patch it'll fall off when the skin bends or stretches. Hope this helps.