My pain doc RX'd these. Gave me a couple samples which I tried, seemed to help.
just got my RX in the mail.

This is, from what I gather, some form of NSAID. Any of you familiar with my story know this; that I've had C spine issues for years - and pain left untreated.

I won't kid you, it's not like I feel great. But they do take some of the edge off.


I know a lot of you don't want to take a lot of meds or have trouble with taking certain meds. This may be a good deal for some people.

This is a fairly new med so you may not have had experience with it - I'd never heard of it (but it was worth trying).
If you've tried it, please chime in with your good/bad review.

If not and you're curious, just ask. I'll let ya know what it's doing for me.

that this patch is not approved for chronic long term use (yet).

It carries the same warnings as the oral. NSAIDs cause bleeding in the GI tract
by systemic effects (reduction of Cox-1 protective cytokines) that act on the GI tract. Many people assume this is a local effect, but in reality it is not, it is a systemic effect.

The use of these patches are to place them at the site of acute injury.
This is not unlike using Salonpas OTC--which have methylsalicylate in them.
Flector just costs more.

Ketorlac (brand name Toradol) is also used transdermally in transdermal gels for acute pain. These gels are compounded by compounding pharmacies and can have other ingredients added. So transdermal NSAID is not really a novel idea.
This Flector patch is just more asthetically pleasing, and more accepted by 3rd party insurances.

Keep us informed as to your progress. I'd be interested to see if they work well.

I saw a post in which you mentioned Salonpas, and I just happened to see them in a store today. I should have looked to see how many were in a box. Not many, it was just a little box. But hey, they were only $3.50

I thought if the Flector doesn't pan out, I may give those a try.

These do seem to work better than taking just an OTC orally. I had a long term problem with chronic headache and had to stop taking Advil (I'd use that for normal aches and such)- it seemed to be exacerbating the h/a, a rebound effect maybe. (I didn't seem to have the problem with naproxyn, but Aleve didn't help the pain either.)

So I hope not to have that problem with the patch.
As for the actual cost - according to my ins, $780 for 180 of them - about $4.33 a piece. But with my copay, it's about 33 cents a patch - 2 patches a day.

And thanks for all of your advice. I'll talk with my doc about how long I'm supposed to use them and what to do then.

there are 40 patches of Salonpas in that box.

http://www.salonpas.us/

They make several kinds, I only use the Methylsalicylate one.

I've used them for years...they are great. I have stacked them on my back
for larger issues but thankfully I rarely get back pain. I use the Salonpas
mostly on my feet, occasionally on the neck and knees.

The new Aleve Liquigels are far superior to Aleve tablets. I only use Aleve
when in a severe pain flare. Not every day by any means. If one can find
other solutions to pain, than NSAIDs that is best. Aleve is naproxen sodium only in 220mg
tablets (Rx is 550) The sodium version of naprosyn is faster acting.

Have you tried Lidoderm? I like these also. (but they are very expensive too).

I was just prescribed the Flector patch this morning for a tear in my MCL.

On the one hand, I was expecting another steroid injection when I saw the doctor this morning, so I was relieved when he offiered the patch as an alternative.

On the other hand, it is VERY expensive, and after reading the prescribing information, I'm really not very impressed with what it offers. It seems like glorified ibuprofen, which I could get at $11.00 for a bottle of 180. Also, it contains gelatin, which is a no-no for vegetarians.

Be very glad that your insurance brings the cost of the patches to $.33 each. Even with my insurance (United Healthcare) it cost me $2.00 per patch for a prescription of 30.

So far I've had the patch on for about an hour. The only difference I notice is that it is sort of cool, being a gel and all. I could have gotten that from Icy Hot.

I know I sound a little bitter, but that is because I am. I Googled Flector this morning and the most abundant information I found is about how it is going to make the manufacturers and investors rich due to an intensive sales force and its appeal to insurance compaines.

My doctor only gave me 15 days worth of patches. This is hardly going to repair my torn MCL which I have been nursing for almost 5 months, so I am left to believe that there was some incentive for him to prescribe this medication.

I'll keep you posted.

May I ask where you are placing the Flector patch?
If you are putting behind the knee, that is the best spot.
Placement of patches may improve response. Unfortunately no directions are
given to medical people, or patients as a rule.

No NSAID drug orally or topically heals anything. They typically reduce inflammation and that allows
the blood flow to improve for healing. Over use of NSAIDs for more than 6 wks actually impair healing
because some Cox-2 cytokines released during inflammation stimulate healing and new cells.

Have tried the patch, thought it was great except for the side effect of a gigantic headache. Have trouble keeping the patch on. The last patch the doc gave me was Fenanyl, that like to kill me. Why would anyone invent something 80 times stronger than morphine? Fentanyl also leaves you broke, it is $25 a patch. The doc is injecting my back Monday hopefully that will help alittle. Fruit
:winky

I did get instructions: place the patch directly over the most painful area. I tried the Flector for almost a week, with absolutely no improvement over the ibuprofen.

When I complained to the nurse about the patches she spoke to the doctor who then switched my prescription to Naprosyn. Which I refused.

I agree that prolonged use of NSAIDS is ill-advised. I am going on 6 months after this injury. I believe that after 5 months of such treatment it is time to admit that anti-inflamatories are not the solution. If my doctor believes the best course of treatment is for me to shut up and deal with it, I wish he would say as much instead of having me pay for repeated trips to his office and pharmaceuticals I don't want or need. I want my knee fixed, not a magic pill. I can take pain without medication if I know there is an end in sight. What I can't take is being strung along.

Again, sorry for the bitterness. I just feel like they are going to suck as much money out of me as they can before they do anything of significance, as the promotion of the Flector patch attests. Anytime your physician hands you a prescription with coupon attached, be very suspicious.

For anyone who is interested, as this blog was the only instance I found with information about Flector that was not about its financial prowess; that patch is crap. Save your money.

My Rheumatologist gave me script for Flector patches to help with pain in my back. I have to say, it did help as long as it would stay on. I soon learned that taping it to the area helped to secure it. But then you have to be careful of which tape to use if you are prone to allergic reactions from the adhesive in the tape. From experience, I recommend a white, medical paper tape.
Hope this was helpful.

Hi,Im 2 weeks post-op from Arthroscopic Surgery for MCL,stop nursing it and get it repaired,it was a breeze. Im going through therapy now but the pain is gone. Flector didnt help for this type of injury,only Vicodan and rest.Good lick and get a Good Sports Med. Orthopedic like I did.