Once the Butrans patch is in place, do not move it. Moving the patch after it’s been applied can decrease the effectiveness of the patch.
It is possible that the medication will still work even if it’s moved, but it’s not recommended that patients using Butrans do so.
Learn more about how to properly apply a Butrans patch
What Happens If I Move My Butrans Patch?
If a Butrans patch is moved, it will not be able to properly administer a steady flow of medication.
A group of researchers found that when a Butrans patch remains firmly in place for seven days, patients saw consistent and sustained delivery of buprenorphine.
Moving a Butrans patch will result in the compromise of the medication.
If buprenorphine is unable to enter the body, this will result in withdrawal symptoms from the lack of buprenorphine, a return of opioid withdrawal symptoms, and a return of pain.
What If My Butrans Patch Falls Off?
Butrans has been clinically tested and designed to last through normal wear and tear for seven days. It’s been found to last up to 10 days at a time, so it should not fall off.
If your Butrans patch moves without you touching it, or falls off completely, that’s fine. Dispose of the old Butrans patch and use a new one. Be sure to place the new patch in a different spot.
Do not reattach the same Butrans patch, as it’s not going to stick, and the medication will lose its effectiveness and not work properly.
If you are unsure what to do in the event that the Butrans patch falls off, call your prescribing doctor and ask for their guidance.
Move Butrans To A New Spot When Applying A New Patch
When it’s time to replace a Butrans patch after seven days, it should be placed in a new spot. Do not keep reapplying each new Butrans patch to the same location on the body.
Keeping the Butrans patch in the same area of skin for multiple weeks can make the skin very sore, irritated, or itchy.
The medication is most effective when it changes locations on the body each week. Wait at least three weeks (21 days) before reusing the same location.
Get Help With Butrans Treatment
If you’d like to learn more about Butrans treatment for opioid use disorder, call our helpline.
We have trained specialists who are available to take your call and walk you through your options in addiction treatment, including the use of Butrans patches.
Call our helpline today to get started.
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- Butrans.com—How to Apply Your Butrans Patch
https://butrans.com/patient/what-is-butrans/where-to-apply-butrans-patch.html - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management—Once-Weekly Transdermal Buprenorphine Application Results in Sustained and Consistent Steady-State Plasma Levels
https://www.jpsmjournal.com/article/S0885-3924%2812%2900371-5/pdf - U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus—Buprenorphine Transdermal Patch
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613042.html
