Characteristics of Transdermal Patches (US)

Asenapine

(Secuado)

Adhesive matrix¹²

Translucent square with rounded edges. Imprinted with drug name and strength.¹²

If a patch falls off, replace with a new patch, rotating sites.

Showering is permitted. Swimming or taking a bath may cause the patch to fall off.

Buprenorphine

(Butrans)

Provide a MedGuide with each Rx.

Adhesive matrix

Note: Do NOT cut or alter any drug patch (regardless of the delivery system) when exact dosing is critical.

Beige, rectangular or square (varies with dose). Imprinted with drug name and strength.

May tape edges with first aid tape or cover with transparent, waterproof or semipermeable dressing (e.g., Bioclusiveor Tegaderm) for up to seven days.

If a patch falls off, replace with a new patch, rotating sites.

Water exposure during showering or bathing should not affect the patch.

Capsaicin

(Qutenza)

Adhesive Matrix

Rectangle imprinted with drug name and strength.

May use a dressing such as rolled gauze to keep in place for the full 30- or 60-minute treatment.

Water exposure should not be an issue as patches are only applied for 30 or 60 minutes every three months.

Clonidine

(Catapres-TTS)

Reservoir

Tan, square, imprinted with “BI-31” (0.1 mg), “BI-32” (0.2 mg), “BI-33” (0.3 mg)

Use round, white adhesive cover if becomes loose.

If a patch falls off, replace with a new patch, rotating sites.

Water exposure during showering, swimming, or bathing should not affect the patch.

Dextroamphetamine

(Xelstrym)

Provide a MedGuide with each Rx.

Adhesive matrix

Translucent square imprinted with drug name and strength.^3,17

Do not use dressings, tapes, or other adhesives.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch, rotating sites.

Check adherence after bathing, showering, or swimming.

Diclofenac

(Flector)

Provide a MedGuide with each Rx.

Adhesive matrix

Rectangle imprinted with drug name and strength.

May tape edges or cover with mesh netting sleeve (e.g., Curad Hold Tite, Surgilast). Avoid covering with an occlusive barrier.

Patch should NOT be worn while bathing or showering.

Donepezil

(Adlarity)

Matrix

Tan rectangle imprinted with drug name and strength

If a patch falls off, replace with a new patch rotating sites.

Patch can be worn during showers or baths.

Estradiol

(Minivelle)

Generics (information is the same as brand unless otherwise noted)

Adhesive matrix

Translucent, round (Mylan: white rectangle). Imprinted with drug name and strength.^1,7,10

If a patch falls off, the same patch may be reapplied.

If unable to reapply, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Showering is unlikely to cause the patch to fall off.

Estradiol

(Vivelle-Dot [brand discontinued])

Generics (information is the same as brand unless otherwise noted)

Adhesive matrix

Dotti:

Transparent, round, imprinted with drug name and strength⁷

Zydus:

Translucent rectangle¹³ imprinted with drug name and strength.¹⁹

If patch falls off, the same patch may be reapplied.

If unable to reapply, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Showering is unlikely to cause the patch to fall off.

Estradiol

(Climara)

Generics (information is the same as brand unless otherwise noted)

Adhesive matrix

Climara:

Transparent oval imprinted with drug name and strength.⁵

Mylan:

Peach, round foam disc. Imprinted with drug and strength

If a patch falls off, the same patch may be reapplied, rotating sites.

If unable to reapply, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Water exposure during showering, swimming, or bathing could cause the patch to fall off.

Estradiol

(Menostar)

Adhesive matrix

Transparent oval imprinted with drug name.⁵

If a patch falls off, the same patch may be reapplied, rotating sites.

If unable to reapply, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Water exposure during showering, swimming, or bathing could cause the patch to fall off.

Estradiol/

Levonorgestrel (Climara Pro)

Adhesive matrix

Transparent oval imprinted with drug name and strength.⁵

If a patch falls off, the same patch may be reapplied.

If unable to reapply, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Water exposure during showering, swimming, or bathing could cause the patch to fall off.

Estradiol/
Levonorgestrel

(Twirla)

Adhesive matrix

Note: Do NOT cut or alter any drug patch (regardless of the delivery system) when exact dosing is critical.

Beige, round. Imprinted with drug name and strength.

If patch is off for:

Water exposure during showering, swimming, or bathing may affect how well the patch sticks.

Estradiol/

Norethindrone

(CombiPatch)

Adhesive matrix

Clear, round. Imprinted with drug name and strength.¹

If a patch falls off, the same patch may be reapplied, rotating sites.

If unable to reapply, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Estradiol/

Norelgestromin

(Xulane)

Generics (information is the same as brand unless otherwise noted)

Adhesive matrix

Note: Do NOT cut or alter any drug patch (regardless of the delivery system) when exact dosing is critical.

Xulane:

Peach rectangle with rounded corners. Imprinted with drug name and strength

Zafemy:

Tan rectangle with rounded corners. Imprinted with drug name and strength⁷

Do not use tape or a wrap to secure.

If a patch falls off:

Patch can be worn while bathing, showering, and swimming.⁸

Fentanyl

(Duragesic [brand discontinued])

Provide a MedGuide with each Rx.

Generics (information is the same as brand unless otherwise noted)

Adhesive matrix

Note: Do NOT cut or alter any drug patch (regardless of the delivery system) when exact dosing is critical.

Translucent, tan (Apotex¹⁸), or opaque (SpecGx) rectangle imprinted with drug name and strength.

Use first-aid tape on the edges or cover with a transparent adhesive dressing (e.g., Bioclusive, Tegaderm, Askina) if patch becomes loose.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch, rotating sites.

Patch can be worn while bathing, showering, and swimming.

Lidocaine 1.8%

(ZTlido)

Adhesive matrix

Rectangle imprinted with drug name and strength

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch (duration of use should not exceed a total of 12 hours [cumulative time of used and new patch])

May be exposed to water, such as showering for 10 minutes or immersion for 15 minutes.

Lidocaine 5%

(Lidoderm [Rx])

Generics

(information is the same as brand unless otherwise noted)

Adhesive matrix

White or tan (Mylan) rectangle imprinted with drug name and strength (Yaral patch has no imprint).^3,10,21

Can use medical tape to secure patch.²⁰

Patch should not get wet. Do NOT wear while bathing, swimming or showering.

Methylphenidate (Daytrana)

Generics

(information is the same as brand unless otherwise noted)

Adhesive matrix

Note: Do NOT cut or alter any drug patch (regardless of the delivery system) when exact dosing is critical.

Daytrana:

Square. Imprinted with drug name.³

Mylan:

Translucent rectangle imprinted with drug name and strength.³

Do not use dressings, tapes, or other adhesives.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch, rotating sites.

Water exposure during showering, swimming, or bathing may affect how well the patch sticks.

Nicotine

(Habitrol)

Matrix⁹

Round, tan. Imprint with drug name, strength, and product code.^3,15

Apply a new one and remove it when the original patch would have been removed.¹⁴

Can be worn while bathing, showering, or swimming.¹⁴

Nicotine

(NicoDerm CQ)

Reservior¹¹

Transparent square imprinted in white ink with product name and strength.^3,21

May use medical or sports tape placed as an “x” over the patch.⁴

May be exposed to water (bathing, showering, swimming) for short periods of time.⁴

Nitroglycerin

(generics)

Adhesive matrix

Mylan:

Translucent, oblong. Imprinted with drug name and strength.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch, rotating sites.

Water exposure during showering or bathing should not affect the patch.

Nitroglycerin

(Nitro-Dur)

Adhesive matrix

Beige, round.³

No information available about how to address patches that become loose or come off.

Patients can shower while wearing their Nitro-Dur patch.

Oxybutynin

(Oxytrol [Rx]/Oxytrol for Women [OTC])

Adhesive matrix

Rectangle imprinted with drug name and strength.³

If a patch falls off, reapply. If unable to reapply, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Water exposure during showering, swimming, or bathing should not affect the patch.

Rivastigmine

(Exelon)

Adhesive matrix

Beige, round, imprinted with drug name

Do not use tape, bandages, or overlays.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch, rotating sites,⁶ and stay on original dosing schedule.

Check adherence after bathing, showering, or swimming.

Rotigotine

(Neupro)

Adhesive matrix

Tan, square,

imprinted with drug name and strength^3,16

May use bandage tape to secure edges.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Bathing, swimming, or showering is permitted, but may loosen the patch.

Scopolamine

(Transderm Scop)

Generics

(information is the same as brand unless otherwise noted)

Reservoir (Transderm Scop, Mylan, Padagis, Zydus)

Adhesive matrix (Actavis, Ingenus)

Tan/peach round.³ Imprinted with drug name and strength.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch behind the other ear.

Limit contact with water (e.g., bathing, swimming); this may cause patch to fall off.

Selegiline

(Emsam)

Provide a MedGuide with each Rx.

Adhesive matrix

Translucent square imprinted with drug name and strength.^2,3

If a patch becomes loose, press it back in place.

If a patch falls off, apply a new patch, rotating sites, and stay on original dosing schedule.

Can be worn while bathing or showering. If the sticky surface of the patch becomes wet, discard it and apply a new patch.²

No information is available about the effects of swimming on the patch.²