For dosage titration, after increasing the dose it will take ONE day to reach equilibrium on the new dose.
The increase in dose is based on the amount of break-through opioid taken. This amount is converted to fentanyl and the patch increased accordingly. Take care also to increase the break-through dose appropriately with any increase in Durogesic DTrans patch strength.
With the introduction of the Durogesic DTrans 12 patch there is the opportunity to titrate the dose if necessary as follows; 25 –37 – 50 – 62 – 75 – 100 micrograms per hour. Above 75 micrograms per hour Durogesic DTrans patch strength the 12 Durogesic DTrans patch is likely to be too small an increment.
Common practice is to wait 72 hours before each increase in dose.