I heard that the MYLAN brand is the best do to the size and adhesive properties. I also heard that the SANDOZ brand is exactly the same as the brand name Duragesic. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
What's the best generic Fentanyl Patch? SANDOZ? MYLAN?
Question posted by mitjason on 19 Dec 2009
Last updated on 20 May 2024
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
36 Answers Page 2
SecretContributor
11 Feb 2018
I just found out that my pharmacy no longer carries 25 mcg Actavis brand and I had to get Mylan brand. They said that there was a recall of all Actavis patches. I can not find anything thing on the internet about a recall.
They gave me Mylan brand early last year for one month and they did not work well at all. I had to take twice as much breakthrough medication. I have been designating Actavis ever since, but now it looks like they are no longer available. I tried Walgreens, CVS and Fry's and none of them carry it anymore. I am thinking that because they are the gel and easier to abuse that pharmacies don't want to carry them. I wish I could find a pharmacy in Phoenix, AZ that carries Actavis because I would take my next prescription there. It is too bad there is no way to search that on the internet. If anyone know of a pharmacy that carries Actavis please post.
p.s. I found this out on Walgreens site: Do not switch brands of this drug unless you talk with your doctor. It was Walgreens who won't order the Actavis for me anymore, how ironic.
Tiffany1102
22 March 2018
Watson / Actavis has recalled ALL fentanyl patches. There was a problem of degeneration, I believe. My best friend has been on them for years... and had to switch to Mylan. She went thru massive withdrawal. I am trying ting to find a pharmacy that carries Sandoz for her. Do you know how I could do this? Thx for any info!
Caroledl
19 May 2018
I was on Actavis and it worked wonderfully. Then Walgreens switched to brand Mallinckrodt. Horrible reactions with BP. Pain level was effective. Spoke to Walgreens pharmacist and he said “Walgreens cannot choose the brand they receive”!!! Now, I cannot find a pharmacy that carries Actavis. Oh, I have to call each pharmacy too! Living in Houston, this is alot of calls.
***I just found this site and have really learned a lot!!
Chronicpainsince99
3 Oct 2018
I am having the same issue in Phoenix, AZ. I spoke with my pain doctor today and she said she can write in a brand even though I can't request it, she can. I haven't tried it yet, but will next month. My prescription was already written this month. I'll tell you if it works. The bad part is, if it isn't in stock, they'll need to order. Have you found any place yet?
k9behavior
10 Feb 2018
I have found that the matrix type patch causes a bad chemical burn on my skin. The patches with the gel are not as bad. They are however so hard to get. It seems with the government regulations that we cannot drop off the prescription until we need it, and then the pharmacies don't have them. The problem then is that we are out there going through withdrawal while the health care companies decide to pay for the prescription or the pharmacy can REMEMBER that you get this every month. I had a young friend die when she could not refill her prescription so be very careful.
Sorry I have gone off on another topic.
laxman87
23 Dec 2017
Not anymore Mylan is cheating on putting the right amount of matrix onto the patch. I had this verified by my DR. and the pharmacist. They cheat the patient so the stock prices go up I was using myelin for at least 8 yrs. right after Sandoz Gell patch went generic. So please if you have these issues of the myelin not sticking that means there is not enough medication on the patch also as the matrix is based on the amount of glue mixed with the fentanyl. Complain to your Dr and pharmacist and Mylan.I am now trying Sandoz which is the matrix also and hope it is better.
laxman87
23 Dec 2017
I have been on Mylan for at least 8 yrs. Since Sandoz went generic from the pouch to the Matrix system. I have been having such a hard time with Mylan the last 14 months or so. I am on a 100 mg patch and a 75 mg patch. The problem I am having is the different batch numbers can or cannot work. I found this yr 2017 alone I made 4 complaints to Mylan and on 2 occasions they gave me new patches. 3 boxes I had to pay for them out of pocket and then the pharmacist had to call with the case number and verify I purchased them so I could be reimbursed by Mylan. This Happen twice without any question so they must know there is a problem in they're manufacturing. I also made a compliant in February of 2017 just to tell them I was unhappy. I am just trying Sandoz matrix as of today and will let you know if they work. My pain is so bad I can't walk far stand for long periods nor lie flat due to failed back fusion. I use to love Mylan but they are now unpredictable.
Some boxes are fine and some are very thin and don't stick. You can't even tell what side is the sticky side. So if your having this problem call Mylan and complain. I also brought to my doctor these bad patches before used to show him and he verified they were bad. My BP was sky high, therefore showing I was in withdrawal I implore you to get to your DR. if you are having the same issues and file a com[plaint. It is about saving money and cheating on the matrix so to up the stock price. They care not about the patients in pain.
seashellmac
29 March 2017
for me, Mylan brand is the ONLY brand that works for me. I've tried everything on the market and have been on patches for about 7 years or so now. I found most of the other than Mylan patches caused severe skin irritation, would fall off easily and just weren't as effective. I had to fight with my insurance and the pharmacy to get back on Mylan after having tried other brands. It's now been approved as i had to go show my doctor what the other patches were doing so there were photos and documentation to prove how bad these were for my skin. I'm so happy to be back on the Mylan brand. Also they have put the word FENTANYL across the patch so i can easily see it on my skin, and not forget it's there when i go to put on a new patch, as i change locations on my body. It likely would depend upon each person as to what would stay on best and/or work best.
My suggestion would be to try one and if it doens't work then try another til you find what works best for you. also, if you do get Mylan and have any issues with them sticking, please contact Mylan and ask for Askina Derm covers. They are super thin, stick very well to my skin even in the water. I snorkeled in Hawaii with these and had NO issues at all. Best of Luck.
chuck1957
2 Jan 2017
Linda keep with that Pharmacist when I was still working we would have nothing but trouble with other brands, but if you have some left to use up. try some 3M TAPE AFTER YOU CLEAN THE AREA WITH JUST plain water and let it dry without a towel just air dry and replace it always remember to rotate each time you have to change a patch. Happy New year.
NPmadness
1 Jan 2017
Don't know if anyone is still interested in this topic, I see it was a few years ago. Just started my first trial of fentanyl patch with Avandas? I think the name of manufacturer is... Anyhow, It kept coming off, flipping upside down and I'd find it hours later somewhere else when my pain returned unexpectedly. I called pharmacist... he said Mylan brand is larger but much more adhesive and his pt's like it much better.
FYI
Linda
Kaligirl2009
2 Dec 2016
Duragesic is not the same as the sandoz or actavis. I do not know when duragesic changed to the glue being the medication, from the gel as in actavis, and sandoz, but that sure waa a disappointment when the doctor changed me to brand specifically to get back on the gel type patch as in the watson/actavist that I was on for years. Hope this helps. P.s. I am looking for a pharmacy that carries the actavis/Watson Brand. Thanks, Desperate
seashellmac
1 Dec 2016
I've been on patches for about 6 years and i have tried many brands due to my insurance changing. The absolute best is Mylan! By far... The Mylan patches are very thin and don't leave any residue on my skin, unlike the others. Also, i honestly felt like i got more benefit from the Mylan ones. It's really odd cause they are all supposed to produce the same amount of active medication but this is just been my experience. Sadly, many of my local pharmacies are not allowing me to purchase Mylan (unless i pay cash which is about $600 month) because my current insurance co (CIGNA) is not paying the pharmacies enough money. IN other words, they are losing about $200 per month, just on my prescription for Mylan brand 75 mcg/hr patches. So now i'm having to find pharmacies that are far away, or try to just deal with the other brands. UGGG> it's so frustrating when you find something that works great for you and the insurance companies can always dictate...
So just make sure if you want Mylan that you ask the pharmacy to run your insurance through, to make sure they will cover it etc. Good Luck. OH, sometimes the Mylan patches want to fall off (they all do) but you can contact Mylan and they will send you boxes of these super thin covers that you can put over the patch, for free! They are not sticky whatsoever and have not bothered my skin. The new patches i'm using are irritating my skin and i'm not even wearing the cover for them and when i shower, water gets underneath the patch. So i do not like this other brand i'm on.
NPmadness
1 Jan 2017
Thank you for confirming what my pharmacist said about Mylan being superior for his patients. It is Walgreens by the way, in case any of you have them and wish to request Mylan. The pharmacist did say that it was perfectly fine to put a "tegaderm" type of product over the patch to keep it on (same thing they use in hospital to hold your IV access in). The fact that Mylan gives them to you free is a great plus and thanks for the info!
Linda
LucyR83
12 Nov 2018
I use Good RX at Walgreens as I am a cash payer. I pay around $106. For 2 boxes (5 patches each) 50 mcg/hr.
akillezz
20 Aug 2013
Hi Guys!!
At the moment I get Fentanyl Sandoz 100µg/h with whopping amount total of 23.21mg´s fentanyl!!! Worst patch I´v come around was Matrifen 100µg/h with total amount of fent. being "only" 10mg´s and it seemed to deliver the drug poorly and didn´t do much of anything. I´think that gel patches are very rare in scandinavia I havn´t ever even seen one.
Hunterkb
15 July 2013
Fentanyl user for breakthrough leukemia pain. it's pretty noteworthy to state that is you do begin use of the Sandoz brand you will want to make sure to stick with this brand. The amount of the active drug in Sandoz is more than 25% higher than in others, such as Watson. I've known users who have experienced premature withdrawals when switching from Sandoz to another brand. the same people complain that the new brand patch simply does not work as aggressively. So if you get Sandoz make sure your pharmacy is in constant stock of that brand. nothing like sitting through a month of on/off premature withdrawals ontop of chronic pain
ellynrl
10 Aug 2013
I have been on Fentanyl (from Watson) 100mcg/h for a couple years. I didn't know that there was a difference in the medication depending on which you use. Are you saying Sandoz is stronger? And if so, how can you change from one to another? Through pharmacy or through doctor? I just started looking trying to find if any manufacturers help with price. I'm in the donut hole and am paying $263.00 a month and can't afford to continue and my doctor was no help. Any suggestions, anyone?
sureshot
19 Aug 2013
I do not like mallinckodt's,I have six 75 mcg/hr on and am still in pain and when I shower ,I have to cover them up..Is it ok to put them on arm////Don't know
akillezz
20 Aug 2013
At the moment I get Fentanyl Sandoz 100µg/h with whopping amount total of 23.21mg´s fentanyl!!! Worst patch I´v come around was Matrifen 100µg/h with total amount of fent. being "only" 10mg´s and it seemed to deliver the drug poorly and didn´t do much of anything. I´think that gel patches are very rare in scandinavia I havn´t ever even seen one.
Garyreid
21 Dec 2016
I have been on Fentanyl for a good year and a half and they just switched me to Mylan which I change every 48 hours it does not seem to work near as well as the other generic which I'm not sure which one it was. Anyway the Mylan seems to work fairly well the first 24 hours but the next day is hell it seems to all absorbency first 24 hours . Has anyone else had this experience? It's driving me up a wall. What is best and can I get my pharmacy to switch to whatever ?
Lanie72
7 March 2018
I never abused my medication. I was out on matrix patches and pain level is out of control again. I know some say matrix is better for pain and some believe those who disagree must be abusing their meds. All I can say is the gel patches lowered my pain level so much better than the matrix it almost seemed like it wasn't even the same medication and this prior method saved me last year. I knew I couldn't live at that pain level much longer. Started getting me crazy. I would never abuse and chance feeling like a person again. I don't have any idea why some get pain relief on certain patches while others aren't feeling that same relief. Maybe the different illness or maybe different people with diff skin feel different pain relief from using the same method of delivery of this med.
I did read that the gel delivers more of the med at once initially matrix is a more even delivery method. This might be the cause for diff in pain relief. Some may need a bit tight dose to get pain controllable then it is easier to manage pain with lower but steady dosing. Other people and other illnesses might get that better relief without the initial higher delivery. Just a few guesses honestly. Just needed to say that gel works so much better for me and I didn't abuse it.
PurpleJream
30 March 2013
I have only been on the patches for just shy of 3 months & I have had Duragesic all but one time when I got the Mylan,& I really liked these very much :-)
jayehmtwice
31 Jan 2013
I represented Duragesic for years (introduced by Janssen Pharmaceutica in1990). I have now worn Duragesic patches for more than 10 years. The generic offerings for fentanyl transdermal differ substantially from one another. First, the Sandoz generic fentanyl patch is apparently mfg'd within same facility as Duragesic brand, and like Duragesic, each 25mcg/hr multiple contains 4.2mg of fentanyl-permeated-adhesive that covers 10.5cm2 of surface skin area. Watson Laboratories' (Actavis - new company name) fentanyl patches appear to be based on Janssen's original Duragesic formulation as each 25mcg/hr multiple contains 2.5mg of fentanyl gel in a reservoired patch which covers 10cm2 surface skin area. The Mylan brand of generic fentanyl patches are also unique. Each 25mcg/hr multiple contains 2.55mg of fentanyl and covers 6.25cm2 of skin surface area. I hope this info helps.
lainie88
25 May 2013
Which brand do you recommend ? I understand that each brand is different but which one gives the best delivery system and will stay on. I would also like one that does not have black lettering that tells the world what you are using. I am a thin 68 year old female and having trouble finding the best place to adhere them. Thank you jayehmtwice if you can help me.
backpain007
17 March 2012
The sandoz have 16.8mg the mylan have 10.6mg I have some leftover mylan I was on for 3 years now just got the new sandoz with no gel but they are still much stronger hope this helps
walmore
9 Sep 2011
I think Sandoz is the nearest to Duragesic. I had a problem when they switched me from Duragesic, but now I am alright. I don't like that the patches are so thin, they sometimes get twisted. People who used the patches to eat them made the company change the size of the patch and I found it took longer to have a affect. I am in the health care field and I know that if a person is in real pain they will not get addicted to it, only the people who abuse pain medication for their own pleasure hurt the ones who really need the medication for real pain. It is the only medication that kills my pain and I do not abuse any medication, I am grateful we have medication to help all of us who need it from time to time.
Inactive
16 July 2013
Dear walmore - I have been on the Janssen patch for 4+ yrs and they have changed from pouch w/gel to the flat patch. I am on 100mcg every 48 hrs and it seems to work okay. I take liquid morphine for break thru pain. You are right, the drug abusers have made it hard for those of us that truly need pain relief. Pain docs are more reluctant to prescribe till we prove we are in need, even when that means being in terrible pain for how ever long they decide.
RandydDog62
9 Jan 2018
Also you absolutely right, those who abuse medications makes it harder on us that live with Intractable Pain !
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duragesic, pain, fentanyl, breakthrough pain
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