Can I Move My Butrans Patch?

Butrans is a transdermal patch that delivers buprenorphine, a prescription opioid medication used to treat chronic pain. The patch is designed to be applied to the skin and left in place for seven days, slowly releasing medication into the bloodstream for consistent pain relief. Proper application and placement are essential for the patch to work effectively.

Once a Butrans patch has been applied to the skin, it should not be moved or repositioned. Moving the patch after application can interfere with how the medication is absorbed and may decrease its effectiveness. While the medication might still provide some pain relief if the patch is moved, repositioning it is not recommended and could lead to inadequate pain control or other complications.

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.

Proper Storage And Disposal Of Butrans Patches

Butrans patches must be stored and disposed of properly to prevent accidental exposure, misuse, or harm to others. Store unused patches in their original packaging at room temperature, away from heat and moisture, and keep them in a secure location out of reach of children and pets. Never cut or damage a Butrans patch before use, as this can cause too much medication to be released at once, leading to overdose.

When it’s time to remove a used Butrans patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides together so the medication cannot be accessed. Immediately dispose of the folded patch in a way that prevents others from coming into contact with it. The FDA recommends flushing used patches down the toilet. If flushing is not possible, place the folded patch in a sealable plastic bag with a substance like coffee grounds or cat litter, seal it, and throw it in the trash.

Never throw an unprotected used patch directly in the garbage, as it still contains enough medication to harm children, pets, or anyone who might come into contact with it. If someone accidentally applies a Butrans patch or shows signs of opioid overdose like extreme drowsiness, slow breathing, or unresponsiveness, call 911 immediately.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff