Fentanyl: Deadly Duragesic Pain Patches

Special Alert: February 2008

Fentanyl Pain Patch Recall

A recall for the fentanyl patch has been issued due to a flaw that poses serious dangers to those who come in contact with the painkiller drug.

Recalled Duragesic patches may have a cut in the lining of the internal reservoir where the drug is stored as a gel. If direct skin contact is made with the gel, a fatal overdose may occur.

What is a Duragesic Patch?

A Duragesic pain patch, known generically as a fentanyl transdermal patch, is a prescription pain patch used to treat moderate to severe chronic pain by slowly releasing a strong pain medication into the body through the skin.

Manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, the FDA recalled several lots of the Duragesic patch in July 2005, due to a potential medication leak that could lead to a fatal drug overdose.

Possible Side Effects of Using the Duragesic Patch

The leak of fentanyl can cause symptoms such as:

Leakage may also lead to inadequate dosing resulting in lack of treatment or withdrawal symptoms. Serious injuries include death, coma, and cardiac arrest.

Overview of the Duragesic Patch

In January 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) renewed their 2005 warning alert for the fentanyl pain patch. Over 3,500 deaths have been attributed to fentanyl, with the majority of incidents related to the pain patch.

Exposing the Duragesic patch to heat can cause an overdose of fentanyl, leading to serious injury and death. Even hot showers and heating pads are enough to cause a fatal release of fentanyl from the Duragesic patch.

Lawyers that Understand Dangerous Drug Cases

If you, or someone you care about, have been hurt because of using a Duragesic patch you need to act quickly. When our PA drug litigation attorneys and staff get involved with your case, we immediately get to work investigating the cause of your drug reaction and fighting for your legal rights to fair compensation.