Medication Patch Safety: Remove Your Old Patch before Applying a New One

Medication patches deliver medication through your skin. Examples of medications that can be delivered this way include nicotine replacement, fentanyl, and nitroglycerin. A used patch may still contain medication. Before a new patch is applied, the old patch must be removed to prevent harmful side effects.  

ISMP Canada received a report about a person who was wearing several nitroglycerin patches. They did not know to remove the old patch before applying a new one. Multiple nitroglycerin patches can lead to low blood pressure and raise the risk of falling. Fortunately, no harm came to the person.

Remove your old patch before applying a new one.  

• Follow your health care provider’s instructions on how often to change patches.
• Keep track of when you change patches (for example, using a calendar) to help with changing patches on time.
• If you realize that you’ve been wearing more than one patch at a time, remove the old patch right away and contact your health care provider for advice.

Dispose of used patches safely – they still contain medication.  

• Keep used patches out of reach of children and pets.
• Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together.

Place the used patch in a sealed container or plastic bag before throwing it away or returning it to your pharmacy. Avoid flushing patches down the toilet.

Health Canada provides information about the safe disposal of medications:  https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/safe-disposal-prescription-drugs.html  

This newsletter was developed in collaboration with patients and families.

Learning from consumer reports is shared with health care providers through ISMP Canada publications.