Dear caress,

Fentora is a newly-formed medication containing fentanyl. It does NOT contain any oxycodone!! It is measured in micrograms (mcg's) instead of milligrams (mg's). Look it up on the internet for better product information than my description!

This is a potent pain/opioid medication that is practically the same as Actiq (oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate)--except that it doesn't have a lollipop stick inserted. So, let's be careful about its use.

Sincerely,
Jon (Conductor)

P.S. Realizing that I am--IN NO WAY--a professional (!)--my guesstimate is that Fentora 200 mg is roughly equal to 100 mg to 200 mg of oxycodone. However, perhaps some of the other members would be better-suited to help calculate this question.

Fentora is fentanyl and is dosed in Mcg so comparing it is difficult. No fentanyl based med is dispensed in Mg, so I'm sure you mean Mcg. 200Mg of fent would equal 2000Mcg.

Back to our question: 10Mg of Oxy is = 25Mcg of fentanyl. Those on 10Mg of Oxycontin are given the 25mcg fentanyl patch. Therefore, as a very general comparison, 200Mcg would be = 40 Mg of Oxy. Those on 200Mcq Actiq (fentanyl) are typically given between 40-50 Mg of Oxy IR.

Fentora is made and marketed by Cephalon....The same maker of Actiq. Actiq's patent expired last year, thus, opening up the fentanyl lollipops to generics. Fentora is Cephalon's market replacement as a way to maintain the healthy profit price margins they enjoyed via Actiq. Fentora is a 100% fentanyl lozenge while Actiq is a 100% fenanyl lollipop.

Cephalon has recently applied to the FDA for expanding it's label to back pain and other forms of pain (from cancer pain). The reasoning is much more sales potential. Unfortunately, Fentora is off to a less than desirable start as there have been several deaths. Fentora disolves (5-10 minutes) much quicker than Actiq (30 minutes), thus, hits your blood stream much quicker. You really can't titrate the lozenge as once it dissolves, it's mushy and pretty much gone....No real in between. Actiq can be sucked on and then taken out of the mouth once a certain amt of pain relief is achieved.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[QUOTE=Executor;3462316]Back to our question: 10Mg of Oxy is = 25Mcg of fentanyl. Those on 10Mg of Oxycontin are given the 25mcg fentanyl patch. Therefore, as a very general comparison, 200Mcg would be = 40 Mg of Oxy. Those on 200Mcq Actiq (fentanyl) are typically given between 40-50 Mg of Oxy IR.


I hate to question you there but from what I had read and understood I thought that 25mcg fentanyl = 40mg oxy since it says in the information leaflet for the patch that 25mcg fentanyl ~ 30-67mg oxycodone I believe that 200mcg fentanyl would be equal to 320mg oxycodone. Can you tell me if I am incorrect?

Brian

Just curious.....What was the pharmacist's problem? How did he/she get involved in your care? This is so wrong!

I'm certainly not going to argue against the abuse potential of the Actiq lollipop, but for pete's sake, the 40mg of Oxy you're taking is in the exact same category!

Just a flat out guess, but the Actiq pops are horrendously expensive, so I'm wondering if this HMO thing is managing cost instead of your care. You may want to check into it....That's why I ask about the pharmacist you referred to.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

Brian is right about the patch keeping fentanyl in your body around the clock. If you want the exact recommended conversion, look at the drug's (Duragesic is the brand name) patient/Dr. literature, they have a conversion chart of daily average morphine/morphine equivalent to the fentanyl patch. It can found on-line....It comes in the box with the patches. A pharmacist can give it to you as well. For example, those on 10mg of OC 3x day are converted to the 25mcg fent patch. Since it's 25mcg per hour, thats 600mcg per day. The fent lollipops come in 200mcg, 400mcg, 600mcg, 800mcg and so on. So, you could make your conversion that way.

The lollipop is very quick in your body, and therefore, very quick out. Works in less than 5 minutes, but is gone within 2 hours, sometimes less. They have a blood plasma graph (Actiq is the brand name) in their patient/Dr. literature (that comes in the box) that documents this concept. It can be found on line as well. It shows a very quick and sharp peak, and then the bottom drops out. Works great for BT pain, but isn't appropriate as a only med. You should be taking some type of LA med (which will keep your blood plasma levels elevated and constant) and then something short term for BT. Without something LA, your "ups and downs" will be miserable.

Also, beware that the lollipops are EXTREMELY expensive and most insurance plans only pay for them if you have Cancer....Unless you've got great insurance.

Good luck and hope this helps.

Ex