Secuado Patch: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Secuado Patch (asenapine) is an atypical antipsychotic skin patch used to treat schizophrenia in adults. It is applied once a day and worn for 24 hours, delivering medicine through the skin. It may help reduce hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. It is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

What is Secuado Patch

Secuado is a skin patch medicine used to treat schizophrenia in adults. It is applied once a day and worn for 24 hours. Its generic name is asenapine, and it belongs to the atypical antipsychotic (second-generation antipsychotic) drug class.

Secuado Patch uses

• Treats schizophrenia in adults.
• Helps reduce hallucinations.
• Helps reduce delusions.
• Helps manage disorganized thinking.
• Helps control symptoms that interfere with daily life.

Benefits of Secuado Patch

• Treats schizophrenia in adults.
• Helps reduce hallucinations.
• Helps reduce delusions.
• Helps manage disorganized thinking.
• Helps control schizophrenia symptoms.

How Secuado Patch works

Secuado is thought to work by balancing brain chemicals called serotonin and dopamine, which affect thoughts and mood.

Secuado Patch dosage

Use Secuado exactly as prescribed by your health care provider; do not share it with others. Apply the patch to clean, dry, unbroken skin that is hairless or nearly hairless, on the upper arm, upper back, stomach area, or hip. Do not apply the patch to areas where you wear tight clothing, such as a waistband. Change the application site every time you apply a new patch; do not use the same spot two times in a row.

Do not open the pouch until you are ready to use the patch, and do not cut the patch. Wear only one patch at a time, and wear each patch for 24 hours only before replacing it with a new one. You may shower while wearing the patch, but avoid swimming or bathing since this may cause it to fall off.

Do not apply direct heat to the patch, such as from a hair dryer, heating pad, or electric blanket, since this can increase the amount of medicine absorbed. If the patch causes burning or irritation, remove it and apply a new patch to a different area. If a patch falls off, do not reapply it; apply a new patch to a different area of skin.

Older adults (65 or older) may be at greater risk of some side effects and should discuss this with their health care provider. Secuado is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old.

Available forms and strengths

• 3.8 mg/24-hour transdermal system (patch)

Side effects of Secuado Patch

Common

• Movement problems (muscle stiffness, jerky muscle movements)
• Skin reactions where the patch is applied (redness, itching, swelling, pain, or irritation)
• Weight gain

Serious

• Severe allergic reactions (hives, swelling of face/lips/tongue/throat, trouble breathing, racing heart)
• Serious skin reactions at the application site
• Heart rhythm changes (QT prolongation)
• High blood sugar or diabetes, high cholesterol, weight gain
• Low blood pressure upon standing, dizziness, and falls
• Uncontrolled movements (tardive dyskinesia)
• Seizures
• Decreased alertness or coordination
• Blood disorders (low white blood cell counts)
• Problems regulating body temperature, risk of overheating and dehydration
• Trouble swallowing (dysphagia)
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition
• High prolactin levels (which may cause fertility or bone problems)

Warnings and precautions

• Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs like Secuado have an increased risk of death. Secuado is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.
• Avoid exposing the patch to external heat sources like hair dryers, heating pads, or electric blankets, since heat can increase the amount of medicine absorbed and may cause overdose or death.
• Secuado can affect your body's ability to regulate temperature, making you prone to overheating and dehydration, especially in hot weather or with exercise.
• Using Secuado with other drugs that cause sleepiness or slow breathing, such as opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or anxiety medicines, can cause dangerous side effects or death.
• Secuado is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
• Using Secuado later in pregnancy may increase the risk of certain problems in a newborn, such as withdrawal or movement symptoms. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• It is not known if Secuado passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed so they can help you decide if it's safe to use.
• No dosage adjustment is required based on kidney function, from mild to severe kidney impairment.
• Secuado should not be used if you have severe liver problems. Your health care provider may test your liver function before prescribing it.
• It is not known exactly how alcohol affects Secuado, but drinking alcohol while using it could increase your risk of sleepiness, dizziness, or fainting upon standing.
• Secuado can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do activities that require alertness until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C to 25°C)
• It can be exposed to temperatures between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 30°C) for shorter periods, such as during transport
• Store in a cool, dry place
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Dispose of the used patch by folding it so the sticky sides stick together, then throw it away safely so children and pets cannot reach it

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, wheezing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have uncontrolled muscle movements in your face, a light-headed feeling like you might pass out, breast pain or swelling, nipple discharge, or signs of low white blood cell counts (fever, chills, mouth sores, sore throat).
• Stop using Secuado and get help right away if you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including breathing problems, racing heart, fever, swelling of the face or throat, trouble swallowing, hives, dizziness, or fainting.
• Stop using Secuado and contact your health care provider right away if you have symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, such as high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion, changes in breathing or heart rate, or increased sweating.
• Call your health care provider right away if you faint or notice changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast or skipping heartbeat.
• Stop using Secuado and get help right away if you have signs of a blood disorder, such as fever, shortness of breath, frequent infections, unusual weakness, dizziness, headache, or a fast or abnormal heartbeat.
• If you or someone else has used too much Secuado, get medical help right away or contact a poison control center.

Alternatives

• Risperidone
• Invega
• Saphris