Actiq

Description

Side effects

(Don't be unduly alarmed. All drugs cause side effects for some patients)

Warnings

(These are standard cautions but may not be applicable to your case)

Comments

Actiq is a brand name for Fentanyl that comes in lollipop form. [The drug co. refers to it as a "lozenge on a stick"]. It is short acting, but relief should start in the first 15 minutes. That is why it is not great for RSD. Amanda - Pennsylvania, USA

Actiq is great as a breakthrough pain med because of how quickly it enters the body via the gums. It is not a long term maintenance med as are either tizanidine or oxycontin.
I have been back to work for 5 1/2 years as a computer consultant, mostly working at home. My best advice is not to give up, keep looking for a physician who understands and can treat RSD/CRPS. Make sure treatments make sense to you. My favorite quote to the occasional medical person who refused to treat me with respect was and still is, "I got sick, not stupid".
There is life after RSD. (Name supplied) - New Jersey, USA

I have used Actiq for my RSDS for well over 2 1/2 yrs and its the only meds for breakthru pain that allows me to function normal or as normal for someone with RSDS... I thank god every min of the day for Actiq. Jill - San Diego, California, USA

My doctor has recently prescribed Actiq. I am a cancer patient with many related pain and medical issues. I have been struggling with pain relief for a long period of time. One of the many issues I have been having is nausea and the ability to keep my medication in my system due my sensitivity to the many medications I must currently take. Over the past few weeks I have been very ill and received my starter pack for Actiq. The starter pack was full of wonder information that was beneficial to my entire family. What is most important, for the very first time in many years, I actually can say that my pain was controlled and I felt pain free for the first time in a very long time. It has made a difference in my life that I cannot find the right words to describe. Although I am very aware that this is not a solution, to be able to get relief after many years is something that I have begun to think was totally out of my reach. Thank you so much for Actiq. Ellen - Tampa, Forida

I hope the people at ACTIQ can sleep at night. I can't believe they can charge a sick person $16.80 for one ACTIQ 800 mcg. I don't have insurance and at that price I have to do without pain relief a lot. What could possibly cost so much to make these pain relievers to justify charging a sick person that much? Although this pain medication works well for me, I think that the mackers of ACTIQ should be ashamed of themselves for ripping sick people off. Sheridan - Wyoming, USA
Editor's note: We don't speak for drug manufacturers, but I suspect they have an answer for this type of criticism!

Hello. I am a 41 year old mother of one son (who is 8). I have Lupus,type II diabetes, polyneuropathy and RSD. I take ACTIQ and time released morphine to control my pain. I have fairly severe RSD and neuropathy and not much helps me with the constant burning, stabbing and pins and needles. ACTIQ allows me to have some decent days where I don't feel like slamming my head against a wall to get pain relief from my feet and legs. (Yes, I realize then my head would hurt too..haha) The cost is enormous, but after trying every other medication available and losing all my teeth to the methadone one doctor prescribed to me (don't even get me started with saying how bad I think methadone is), I think ACTIQ is great. I wasn't thrilled when they re-formulated it awhile back, but I'm adjusting. I hope more doctors will consider this medication for non-cancer pain. Too many people are truly suffering because they can't get this medication. Thanks! Michelle - USA

I've been sick for at least the last 7 years, but totally off work for almost three now. I tried multiple ways to stay at work, but just couldn't do it. Anyway - I have an awesome Rheumatologist and Chronic Pain doc who both believe in Actiq, but when you have self paid insurance, it is really expensive, one month I ended up having to pay over $3600 for 3 boxes of 800's. I hope everyone out there now knows about the generic that is available! The price has dropped some... Allison - Seattle, Washington, USA