Doing so can cause burns to the skin.
Many patches contain aluminum or other metals in their backing.
The MRI uses a powerful magnet. So when the magnet's power is turned on, the patches can conduct electricity and lead to second degree burns.
"The risk of using a metallic patch during an MRI has been well-established, but the FDA recently discovered that not all manufacturers include a safety warning with their patches," said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
"Because the metal in these patches may not be visible and the product labeling may not disclose the presence of metal, patients should tell both their health care professional and their MRI facility that they wear a medicated adhesive patch."
The FDA was alerted to the missing MRI warning on Teva Pharmaceutical's fentanyl transdermal system in January. The FDA investigated and found that a similar warning was also missing on a variety of skin, or transdermal, patches delivering medications.
If you wear a patch-- even a nicotine patch- be sure to tell your doctor before getting an MRI.
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