Patch application, rotation, and disposal

Instruct your patients on the administration of their Butrans patch

Instruct patients to apply the patch immediately after removal from the individually sealed pouch. Instruct patients not to use Butrans if the pouch seal is broken or if the patch is cut, damaged, or changed in any way. See the Instructions for Use for step-by-step instructions for applying Butrans
Instruct patients not to use Butrans if the pouch seal is broken or the patch is cut, damaged, or changed in any way and not to cut Butrans
Apply Butrans to the upper outer arm, upper chest, upper back, or the side of the chest. These 4 sites (each present on both sides of the body) provide 8 possible application sites. Rotate Butrans among the 8 described skin sites. After Butrans removal, wait a minimum of 21 days before reapplying to the same skin site

Apply Butrans to a hairless or nearly hairless skin site. If none are available, the hair at the site should be clipped, not shaven. Do not apply Butrans to irritated skin. If the application site must be cleaned, clean the site with water only. Do not use soaps, alcohol, oils, lotions, or abrasive devices. Allow the skin to dry before applying Butrans

Incidental exposure of the Butrans patch to water, such as while bathing or showering, is acceptable based on experience during clinical studies
If problems with adhesion of Butrans occur, the edges may be taped with first aid tape. If problems with lack of adhesion continue, the patch may be covered with waterproof or semipermeable adhesive dressings suitable for 7 days of wear
If Butrans falls off during the 7-day dosing interval, dispose of the transdermal system properly and place a new Butrans patch on a different skin site
When changing the system, instruct patients to remove Butrans and dispose of it properly
If the buprenorphine-containing adhesive matrix accidentally contacts the skin, instruct patients or caregivers to wash the area with water and not to use soap, alcohol, or other solvents to remove the adhesive because they may enhance the absorption of the drug

Patients should refer to the Instructions for Use for proper disposal of Butrans. Dispose of used and unused patches by following the instructions on the Patch-Disposal Unit that is packaged with the Butrans patches
Alternatively, patients can dispose of used patches by folding the adhesive side of the patch onto itself, then flushing the patch down the toilet immediately upon removal. Unused patches should be removed from their pouches, the protective liners removed, the patches folded so that the adhesive side of the patch adheres to itself, and immediately flushed down the toilet
Patients should dispose of any patches remaining from a prescription as soon as they are no longer needed