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Lidoderm vs. Duragesic

Are Lidoderm and Duragesic the Same Thing?

Lidoderm (lidocaine patch 5%) and Duragesic (fentanyl) are medications used to relieve different types of pain.

Lidoderm is a topical medication generally used to relieve nerve pain after shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia).

Duragesic is a transdermal patch for systemic administration of pain medication, indicated for the management of severe pain in patients who require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Lidoderm and Duragesic belong to different drug classes. Lidoderm is a topical anesthetic and Duragesic is an opioid analgesic.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Lidoderm?

Common side effects of Lidoderm include:

  • irritation,
  • redness,
  • swelling,
  • blisters,
  • numbness, or
  • changes in skin color at the site of application.

Contact your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Lidoderm including

  • irregular heartbeats,
  • drowsiness,
  • confusion, tremors,
  • seizures (convulsions), or
  • blurred vision.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Duragesic?

Common side effects of Duragesic include:

What is Lidoderm?

Lidoderm (lidocaine patch 5%) is a local anesthetic used to relieve nerve pain after shingles (infection with the herpes zoster virus). This type of pain is called post-herpetic neuralgia.

What is Duragesic?

Duragesic (fentanyl) Transdermal System for transdermal administration is an opioid analgesic indicated for the management of pain in opioid-tolerant patients, severe enough to require daily, around-the-clock, long-term opioid treatment and for which alternative treatment options are inadequate. Duragesic (fentanyl) Transdermal System is available in generic form.

What Drugs Interact With Lidoderm?

Lidoderm may interact with anti-arrhythmic drugs or other local anesthetic products.

What Drugs Interact With Duragesic?

Duragesic may interact with other CNS depressants (including sedatives, hypnotics, tranquilizers, general anesthetics, phenothiazines, other opioids, and alcohol), CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, buprenorphine, and anticholinergics.

How Should Lidoderm Be Taken?

Apply Lidoderm to intact skin to cover the most painful area. Apply up to three patches, only once for up to 12 hours within a 24-hour period.

How Should Duragesic Be Taken?

Duragesic (fentanyl) Transdermal System is available in doses of 12 mcg/hr, 25 mcg/hr, 50 mcg/hr, 75 mcg/hr, and 100 mcg/hr.

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