Buprenorphine 7 Day Matrix Patch 5µg/h, 10µg/h, 20µg/h

Your guide to Butec® 7 day patches

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS AND CARERS

Butec are stick-on, pain-relief patches for adults suffering from moderate, non-malignant (‘non-cancer’), chronic (‘long-standing’) pain which requires an opioid to obtain adequate pain relief.

They contain a pain-relief medicine called buprenorphine (BUE-pre-NOR-feen) and come in 3 different sizes and strengths.

Has the brand name of your medicine changed?

Your medicine may have changed from Butrans to Butec. Butec contains exactly the same active ingredient (Buprenorphine) as Butrans, so there shouldn’t be any effect on your treatment. Butec is simply a different brand name to Butrans.

If you were taking a different Buprenorphine 7 day patch before, the active drug is still the same. Your doctor will advise you of any changes you may need.

What are Butec Patches?

Patches, pouches and packaging are not shown at actual size.

5µg/hour 10µg/hour20µg/hour

As with all medicines it is important that you read the patient information

leaflet found in the Butec packet in addition to this booklet.

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Butec patches work in a way that means you don’t need to apply them to the area that’s in pain.

In order for a patch to work properly, the best places to apply it are:

• upper arm above the elbow; • upper chest or side of the chest; • and your upper back.

Don’t apply the patch to:

• delicate or irritated skin; • scars; • andareasthatarenotveryflatlike your joints.

Getting Started

Right Upper Outer Arm

Right Side Chest

Left Upper Back

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Applying your first patch

1. You may need to remove hair to ensure the patch makes contact with the skin. Shaving may irritate the skin, so instead cut the hair short with scissors.

2. Once the skin is clean and dry, you’re ready to apply the patch.

3. It’s easy. Peel off the smaller piece of silver foil backing, and apply the sticky part of the patch to your skin, then smoothly peel off the rest of the foil.

4. Hold the patch in place for 30 seconds, then press around the edges to make sure it’s all stuck down.

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How your patch works

Steadily over the course of a week, the patch will release a painkiller called buprenorphine, which sinks through the skin to enter your bloodstream.

Once in the blood, buprenorphine is carried around the body until it reaches the brain.

This is where it acts, providing relief from your pain, regardless of where it’s coming from.

If this is your first patch, it may take up to three days to reach its full effect.

See your doctor if you need additional pain relief during this time.

Butec Patch

Your Skin

Skin Layers

Buprenorphine

Bloodstream8 9

Living with Butec

Going about your normal day shouldn’t affect how the patch works.

You can still bathe and shower when wearing a patch.

You will need to protect the patch from direct heat.

Sources of strong heat like saunas and hot tubs. Electric blankets and hot waterbottlesarefineaslongasthey are not in direct contact with the patch.

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Your patch can be worn for seven days for continuous pain relief. After this (on day 8) the patch should be changed for a new one. Start peeling the patch from one corner, slowly and carefully. It should come off easily and painlessly.

Tip: Some people find it easier to remove while in the shower.

Even after 7 days there will be significantlevelsofmedicineleftinthepatch, so fold the sticky sides together and place it in the outer packaging of your next patch.

Dispose of it, out of reach of animals and children.

You can now apply a new patch when you’re ready. There won’t be any gaps in the pain relief when this happens.

Removing the patch

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You can apply your next patch to any of the appropriate locations, but it’s important to wait three to four weeks before reapplying to the same area again. A diary or chart, like the one at the back, can be helpful for this.

Skin care while using Butec patches

It’s important to care for your skin while using Butec patches to prevent any possible skin irritation or redness where your patches have been.

• remove leftover traces of adhesive with a pH 5.5 cleansing agent (such as E45).

• use a water-based, perfume-free moisturiser regularly on the application areas, particularly after removing a patch (but not immediately before applying one).

Applying a new patch

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If you are still suffering from uncontrolled pain, speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist again. They will know whether lifestyle changes, exercises or increasing your dose of Butec will best suit your individual needs.

There may be times, such as on particularly active days, when you need to take additional painkillers. Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can also give you more information about this.

If you experience any side-effectsTalk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possibleside-effectsnotlistedinthepackageleaflet.You can also report side-effects through the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side-effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

.....I feel sickSomepeoplecanfeelabitsickduringthefirstseventotendays.

Don’t worry, this is normal while your body adapts to the medicine.

Your doctor or pharmacist can give you anti-sickness medication to help.

....I still have painIf this is your first patch, or you’ve just increased your dose, it may take up to three days for Butec to reach its full pain-relieving effect. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as they can prescribe additional pain relief to help during this time.

What to do if..

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.. I have an allergic reaction

Remove the patch and tell your doctor immediately if you suddenly experience any of the following symptoms, as it may be a sign of an allergic reaction:

• Wheeziness.

• Breathingdifficulties.

• Swelling of the eyelids, face or lips.

• Rashes or itching, especially if these cover your whole body.

• Are allergic to buprenorphine or other Butec ingredients(seetheButecpatientleafletthatcamein the box for a full list of ingredients).

• Have breathing problems.

• Are addicted to drugs.

• Are taking (or have taken in the last two weeks) a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (e.g. tranylcypromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid, moclobemide or linezolid).

• Suffer from myasthenia gravis.

• Get the shakes (DTs) when you stop drinking alcohol after a period of heavy drinking.

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Are treating symptoms associated with drug withdrawal.

Always talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before stopping your medicine.

Do Not Wear If You ..

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.. I forgot to change my patch

Change the patch as soon as you remember, applying the new one to an appropriate area that you haven’t used in the past three to four weeks.

Don’t add more patches to make up for it.

If you are more than a day late changing the patch, the day you add this new patch will become the new day you change it a week later.

....My patch falls offIt’s unlikely your patch will fall off, but if it does, reapply a new one straightaway. Make a note of the day, as this will become the new day you change the patch each week.

Tip:Ifyoufindyouneedit,surgicaltapecanbeusedaround the edges to keep the patch stuck down.

....I would like an alcoholic drinkIf you would like to drink alcohol while wearing Butec patches, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist first. Alcohol may affect your reaction times or make some side-effects worse, meaning you may feel unwell if you drink alcohol whilst wearing Butec patches.

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... I need to drive, or operate machinery

The pain-relief medicine in Butec, buprenorphine, is opioid based. As with any opioid, Butec patches may affect your reaction times. This means your ability to drive or operate machinery safely may be impaired, especially if you are just starting treatment or your dose has been recently increased.

If you are affected, do not drive or operate machinery whilst wearing the patch, or during the 24 hours following its removal.

However, if you’ve been receiving the same dose patch for some time, the likelihood that you’ll be affected is reduced.

A new drug-driving law is coming into effect which you shouldbeawareof.Pleasereadyourpackageleafletformore details on using your patch and driving.

If you’re unsure, please speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist – they’ll be happy to give you further advice.

....I’m going on holidayIf you’re going abroad, remember to get a letter from your doctor to explain that you’ve been prescribed Butec patches. You should also check with the embassy of thecountryyou’revisitingtofindoutiftheyrequireanyadditional information.

Tip: Always take enough Butec patches to last the duration of your trip – no one wants their symptoms to get in the way of enjoying their holiday.

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Pain relief for people with dementia

People with dementia feel pain just the same as everybody else; what changes is their ability to communicate it. So, as well as regularly asking the patient if their pain is well managed, it’s a good idea to look for physical signs too.

For many with more severe disease, the following changes may be their only way of expressing pain:

Behavioural - e.g. restlessness, agitation, aggression

Facial expressions - e.g. frowning, grimacing, tension, fear

Mood - e.g. confusion, depression, withdrawal

If you are caring for someone with dementia, keep an eye out for these changes. Many are common symptoms of dementia, but may also be a sign of uncontrolled pain.

If you apply the Butec patch for someone with dementia, take care to avoid the same area of skin for three to four weeks, and moisturise afterwards to limit any possible irritation.

Dementia patients may struggle to communicate the side-effects they may experience from using the patch. As their carerorrelative,pleaserefertothepackageleafletforinformation on possible side-effects, e.g. confusion, anxiety and agitation. If you are concerned, please seek medical advice from their doctor or pharmacist.

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Your application reminderUse this chart to make a note of the day you should change the patch and where

you apply it each week by ticking the box below the illustration for positioning it.

Providing you don’t use the same area of skin again for three to four weeks, you can

rotate around the locations in the order that best suits you.

I change my patch on a

Day:

PATCH 1

Date:

PATCH 2

Date:

PATCH 3

Date:

PATCH 4

Date:

Right Upper Outer Arm Left Upper ChestRight Side Chest Left Side ChestRight Upper BackRight Upper Chest Left Upper Outer Arm Left Upper Back

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Buprenorphine 7 Day Matrix Patch 5µg/h, 10µg/h, 20µg/h

Local GP Surgery Contact Details:

Local Pharmacy Contact Details:

UK/QDEM-16004Date of preparation: March 2016