Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Duragesic as follows: Do not take Duragesic with alcohol. Both alcohol and Duragesic depress the respirations. When taken together, their effects on respirations can get added up and lead to severe respiratory depression, coma, and can even be fatal. Also, though Duragesic individually does not cause much damage to the liver, combining Duragesic with alcohol can increase the chance for liver injury. Duragesic is metabolized [...]

Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Duragesic as follows: Duragesic has the potential to increase the intracranial pressure. Maintain a close watch for signs of elevated intracranial pressure, such as, headache, vomiting, double vision, and confusion. Individuals with history of head injury, curvature of the spine, and intracranial lesions are at increased risk for elevated intracranial pressures. Report any such findings to your physician immediately for a change in plan of [...]

Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Duragesic as follows: Duragesic must be avoided or used cautiously in individuals allergic to other opioid analgesics, such as Hydrocodone, Morphine, and Codeine. Duragesic slows down the bowel movements heavily and leads to constipation. Increase intake of daily fiber can help the situation and promote regular bowel movements. Any signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction and ileus, such as, intense bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, nausea, [...]

Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while applying Duragesic skin patch as follows: The skin site chosen must be flat, dry, and hairless to allow for proper absorption of Duragesic. Make sure the site is completely dry before applying the patch. Any moisture at this site prevents proper adherence of the patch to the skin and thus, interferes with absorption of Duragesic. Hair on the chest can be clipped short, if needed. Do [...]

Patient was educated on contraindications for using Duragesic as follows: Duragesic affects the respiratory center in the brain and induces slowing down of respirations. The breathing pattern can become irregular with reduced gas exchange and lead to elevated carbon dioxide and reduced oxygen levels in the body. Overdose of Duragesic can also cause respiratory arrest. Duragesic should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of respiratory abnormalities, such as, asthma and [...]