Reducing patient harm with the use of fentanyl transdermal system

Fentanyl transdermal system is indicated for the management of persistent, moderate-to-severe chronic pain that requires continuous opioid administration for an extended period of time and cannot be managed by other means such as nonsteroidal analgesics, opioid combination products, or immediate-release opioids. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices and other patient safety advocates have long been concerned that transdermal fentanyl is often prescribed, dispensed, and administered without proper consideration of patient selection criteria, starting-dose recommendations, contraindications, dose adjustment recommendations, and safe administration procedures. This article will highlight errors that may arise during the use of fentanyl patches and provide risk-reduction recommendations for consultant pharmacists to address the potential for error and patient harm.