Butrans for Pain User Reviews

• Anonymous
• August 10, 2011

"This patch is the best thing to happen to me since I hurt my back. It gives me freedom from living my life based on prescriptions. No more worrying about running out of pills, or waking up in the middle of the night just to take a pill because I start to go through withdrawals. (I am not talking about puking in the toilet, curled up on the floor withdrawals. I mean the awkward feeling and leg twitches that wake me up). I work 12-hour shift work 3 to 4 days a week, and the fact is I need more pills on some days. It was a constant worry having to balance my pain, work, life, and pill intake so I wouldn’t run out. I still need oxycodone for “breakthrough pain” but I do need to take just a few to feel comfortable. If I have a day off work and only need one pill, I don’t have to take more later. If you have just started taking them, give them some time to kick in, it took a week or so for me to realize it was really working, after two months I realized the overall impact on my life. The freedom from a pill bottle is the main benefit, and I am sure other chronic pain sufferers can relate. I read these blogs all the time, to research and gather information about new medicines my doctor wants to try. I have never felt the need to share until this point. Hope it helps somehow."

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 8, 2014

"Had back surgery in 2000. 3 rods, 6 screws, and bone put in L4 L5 S1. Had severe pain for 12 years. No sleep (3 1/2 to 5 hours a night). No energy, seldom in a good mood because of the pain. Sometimes down for 3 weeks at a time. Began Butrans 10 mcg last year and man, what a difference. First week was getting 7 hours of sleep and pain level went from 10 to 1 or 2. It has been that way for the last 11 months. Now getting blisters and rash at the application site. Going to see the doctor this week. Hope he doesn't take me off. Really not looking forward to the return of a painful life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2015

"So far, Butrans has been a lifesaver. I've been on every nerve medication and painkiller for the past 6 years. I was taking 10 Oxycodone every day just to stay functional. First day on the patch, I didn't think it was going to work. The next day I woke up almost pain-free for the first time in years. It made me realize how bad my pain had actually been. Butrans has been nothing short of a miracle for me. No more pills (except Mobic). No more rollercoaster of highs and lows of pain medicines. Just relief. It's only week 2, but the difference is amazing. Some minor side effects, little sleepy, subtle headache, but that's about it. I feel almost 100% normal again. I honestly had almost forgotten what normal felt like. Thanks, Butrans!"

• Anonymous
• September 7, 2011

"I have had pain from 2 ruptured discs and spondylolisthesis for the past 9 years. I used to be very athletic (running, lifting weights, yoga, biking, etc.) and I had to give all of that up. That would have been okay if it had relieved the pain, but it didn't. I've spent the last 9 years on Hydrocodone, Tramadol, Flexeril, and others. I had given up on having any quality of life. That was until I found Butrans. I have been on it for about a month, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, my back does not hurt. I am sleeping through the night. I do not feel drugged out (like Vicodin) and have no side effects. Not one. This medicine is a miracle."

• dog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 6, 2013

"When the doctor gave me these patches, I had a 'yeah right' attitude. I am stunned! I applied the first patch and 3 days later, I had significant pain relief! I just applied my 2nd patch and I am able to resume doing a lot of things I haven't done in years. I had side effects at first: sleepiness, shakiness, and severe nausea, but they passed within the first week. I am amazed and pleased at the effectiveness of these patches."

• Max...
• December 3, 2013

"After my injury turned from acute to chronic, my doctor prescribed a 10 mcg patch. I was very skeptical since a patch seems very non-traditional, but I gotta say it worked terrific. You put the patch on once a week and forget about pain/pills till the next week. So effective and convenient that multiple times I have forgotten to change it after a week. Only downside is no hot tub/baths and no direct sunbathing, a bummer when you live on the CA coast! Also no tolerance issues, was on the same dose with the same results for 2 years."

• Slx...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2016

"I have been on Butrans for about a week. Dealing with pain in my lower back for 25 years. Have received epidural shots in my L5 S1 area to no help. Was referred to a pain clinic. Was given a script for Butran 5mcg/1 hour. For the first time in 25 years I've had no pain. This has been a godsend. No side effects, no anything. I keep waiting for the pain to come back and it does not. I actually sleep now, can do more activities around the house than I could before, I'm not cranky anymore because of being in pain. So far, no breakthrough pain. Hope I don't get that. All I can say is YIPPEE, I'm pain-free."

• Fyl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 12, 2014

"I have been on pain medicines since 1987 and had an injury. I went through it all the way up to Lorcet. Then when they found out I had a liver condition, they switched me over to Butrans. About 30 minutes after taking it, I was out of pain, but I was also in a newer state of mind. On my previous painkillers, I assumed they were working. But with Butrans, once it hit me, I was VERY aware of being on a narcotic. NO pain and a nice buzz on the side. Thank You to Butrans."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2012

"Fantastic, at first. I received relief from fibro pain throughout my body and some rheumatoid arthritis pain. (Oddly, I did experience a new pain in the very center of my lower back after beginning Butrans). Once I increased to 20 mcg, after 2 days of applying the new patch, I would vomit, have nausea and headache. Then, my depression got so bad, almost to the point of hospitalization. Butrans did help with my pain, but the side effects were just too much."

• Dad...
• November 4, 2019

"This is simply an awful drug that is shockingly being misrepresented as a frontline pain management drug versus a rehabilitation drug. Doctors are being either scared or bullied into writing scripts for this trash and people like myself with MS, 11 invasive surgeries including multiple cervical fusions, multiple thoracic disc replacements, and one of my fusions is broken. Furthermore, in my case, it was equitably compared to a fentanyl patch in performance. It was my pharmacy that actually told me what it was and how it would, or more so would not, work. I had no titration down from 100 Morphine Equivalents and was started on a patch of 7.5 mcg. This medicine is so misunderstood that when I went into withdrawal, then became dehydrated from the bowel distress and vomiting, our little hospital didn't know what to do and was too scared to help on a Sunday afternoon. IF GIVEN THE CHOICE, please don't agree to it and save yourself a ton of unneeded misery. Best of luck and find a doctor you trust."

• ccc...
• August 14, 2016

"I have been on 4 Norco 10 mg for a few years now, and last week my pain management doctor prescribed me the 10 mg Butrans patch to go along with my Norco. I went in to see him and explained how the Norco wasn't lasting me all day. I was wanting him to up my dose of Norco to 5 a day, but instead he prescribed me the Butrans patch. I got the script filled and gave it a try, really not believing it would work, but today I really could tell it was... this is my fourth day on the patch and also my first day off. For the past year and a half, my days off I run back and forth to the couch trying to get comfortable from my pain and not able to sleep. I got up after 11 uninterrupted hours sleep feeling the best I have in years! NO pain! Butrans works!"

• Der...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 9, 2016

"So I have been on the Butrans patch 10 microgram/hour for the last 5 months. I took anti-sickness tablets so I had no sick feeling or any side effects at all. It has been a godsend, this patch. I'm in no pain, I noticed in 4 days... I'm from Ireland. I fell and fractured my back in 5 places, I was in severe pain with my back and spasms which left me sleeping in a chair for 3 months. Since I came on the patch, I'm back in my bed. So, this patch is the best ever in my opinion. Anyways, hope this helps someone. I'm a 25-year-old girl from Ireland."

• Mom...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 29, 2019

"I have been on the Butrans patch for 5 years. I started at 15 mcg and moved up over the years to 20 mcg. I have interstitial cystitis (IC), a painful bladder condition. I have to admit the patch did help me with pain, but my condition requires constant surgeries to maintain. What they don’t tell you about being on the patch long term is the way the patch works (look it up and read for yourself). It blocks pain relievers like morphine and fentanyl (protagonists-antagonists) that they use after surgery for pain management. I had a full hysterectomy while keeping the patch on per my pain management recommendations-a huge mistake! I woke up after surgery basically screaming because they could not get me out of pain. It was, to say the least, the worst experience of my life! While I understand we are all different and each body works with medication differently, if you have a condition that requires frequent surgeries, read up on Butrans and discuss it with your doctor in-depth before you go under."

• Dan...
• June 24, 2011

"My pain management doctor put me on Butrans patches about 6 weeks ago, a 5 mg dose. The first box of four was a lifesaver. No more agony at work. Able to sleep. Did more in two weekends than I had in two years. I'm hoping to bump up to the 10 mg dose soon to cut down on my Norco. I have had chronic pain for many years and have been through many medicines, including Oxycontin. This patch is the best so far."

• Anonymous
• December 29, 2011

"I had back surgery a year and a few months ago for a ruptured L5 that was causing severe pain in my lower back and down my leg. The surgery was not a success, and I am worse now than I was. I tried injections, had nerves catheterized, and physical therapy, none of which helped. My dose of Norco's just kept getting higher and higher to where they couldn't give me anymore and be able to perform my job. My doctor put me on the Butrans patches and the relief I get is absolutely amazing. Very seldom do I have to take the Norco's. I started on the 10 mg and now am at 20 mg. Like others, my only complaint is about day 5 or 6, they start wearing off then it takes a day for a new patch to start to work. Overall, they have made my life more comfortable than it has been."

• Jac...
• April 20, 2011

"I am 25. I started using Butrans 3 weeks ago. It has been a lifesaver. I started taking it for pain after wanting to stop popping the Percocets. I was optimistic, but honestly didn't have much faith in it. To my surprise, the Butrans has relieved my pain since day 1. If I do something that aggravates my back such as standing or walking for extended periods of time, then I get some back pain, but it's really nothing compared to what I am used to. I am very thankful for having found out about this patch. It has influenced my life in so many positive ways so far. I was frustrated physically and emotionally prior to starting Butrans, I feel much happier now. My pain is from spinal reconstruction to correct severe scoliosis in 2008."

• Anonymous
• December 28, 2011

"The best medicine I have taken so far for the control of sacroiliac joint pain. I have been on OxyContin, Percocet and this patch works better. The side effects are tolerable. My only complaints are severe bloating and constipation. You really have to stay on top of taking a laxative or you will be in bad shape. But you cannot beat the pain control. The patch enables me to work full-time at a professional job and remain comfortable."

• Bio...
• April 4, 2012

"It works great for about 3 days. It's supposed to last 7 days. By great, I mean it dramatically reduces pain (from 9-2) for about 5 hrs/day. Then the pain gradually increases. One good thing is that I don't wake up in pain when the patch is working."

• Bel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 21, 2016

"I need to update my previous post. I tried the patch about a year ago, but hadn't been completely off all other narcotics at the time of application, so I went through a horrible withdrawal. I decided to give it another chance because of all the good reviews. This time I abstained from all narcotics for 16 hours before applying the patch. I had a lot of pain for about 48 hours after application, but I'm about 60 hours in now & feeling much less pain than I ever did on Percocets. I still have some pain, but I'm only on the 7.5 & will probably have to go up to at least a 10 to feel very little pain. I haven't taken a pain pill in several days. I feel clear-headed & hopeful about the future. I'm so happy I gave the patch another chance!"

• Tex...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 11, 2016

"It works pretty well for me until it starts to wear off on the 5th-7th day. I think there should be 5 patches given a month instead of 4 per 28 days. Or the manufacturer needs to improve the quality and lasting power of each patch. I do have to admit without this medication, I would be unable to have a normal life. My pain level would be about an 8 on average without it, and thank goodness I was referred to my doctor by my orthopedic surgeon. I occasionally have a little itch under the patch when it gets wet. I hate that it is not more waterproof. I believe this is part of the reason they lose their strength. I do have Norco to supplement my pain relief, but if the patches would hold their potency, I wouldn't have to use the Norco."

• Ter...
• July 10, 2011

"For 20 years I had been taking pain medicines (from Vicodin to Norco) for acute pain (blown-out knee, two knee replacements, torn rotator cuff) to chronic back pain due to 4 herniated discs and a chronic fracture at T11-T12. It got to the point where taking 6-7 Norco 10/325 a day didn't keep me comfortable. My ortho sent me to a pain management clinic at the local hospital where they switched me over to Butrans. I was started on the 10 mg which helped, but I was still in discomfort. The following visit I was switched to the 20 mg. I am very satisfied with the level and continuity of pain relief. What a Godsend! My only complaint is that the patch seems to lose its effectiveness by Day 5 or 6."

• Anonymous
• February 4, 2012

"I had severe back and neck pain for 4 years, been to neurologist, surgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists with no relief or quality of life. I don't even know how I was working. My dr put me on the Butrans patch and my pain decreased a lot. I had no side effects for 8 months. Now I have severe itching and burning at the site and itching all over, to the point I want to pull it off."

• Anonymous
• July 25, 2011

"I had lower back surgery several years ago. I ended up getting scar tissue build up within my spine, which has caused ongoing back and leg pain. I've tried all the 'normal' methods of relief... TENS unit, back injections, nerve burn, physical therapy, etc. Nothing seemed to work except narcotic pain medicines. I was taking 10/325 Norco pills for pain management, but I'm not a big pill type person so when I asked my PCP if there was anything else, she suggested the Butrans patch. I tried the 5mcg patch, but it wasn't very effective. I stepped up to the 10mcg patch and all is good now. I rarely need to take a Norco (maybe 2-3 a week for breakthrough pain), but overall this patch has been VERY helpful. It does not make me feel high."

• Pea...
• November 15, 2015

"I have been on the Butrans Patch (20) for three weeks. The results have exceeded my hopes after years of enduring chronic pain related to Fibromyalgia. The relentless pain in my neck and back while sleeping has been reduced at least 90%. I am able to make my bed, bathe, cook, and do laundry most days. I am more tired than normal, which is probably attributed to my increase in activity each day. The negatives so far include moderate agitation and mild itching and irritation at the location site."

• goh...
• June 15, 2011

"I have taken Norco in increasing doses (though not above what my doctor recommended) since 2004. Over the years, I have tried a dozen or more medicines for my back pain, which is due to an L5/S1 herniation, and the only ones that have worked were Hydrocodone and Oxycodone - until the Butrans patch. I started on the 5 mg patch for a month, which cut my Norco intake in half. I was then upped to the 10 mg patch, which has reduced my Norco to about a pill a day for breakthrough pain. It really helps, and I'm sleeping through the night for the first time in years since my medicines aren't wearing off at 2 AM. Admittedly, I've only been on this for 6 weeks, but I am highly optimistic based on my early results."