Recent lawsuits allege the manufacturers of the Fentanyl Pain Patches sold defective patches to the public. Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuits allege strict product liability, negligence, breach of warranty and failure to warn claims against the manufacturers. Fentanyl Pain Patches are prescribed to patients who require around-the-clock pain control. They deliver controlled doses of narcotic pain medication through the skin over a specified period of time (usually 24 to 72 hours).
In recent years, manufacturers of the Fentanyl and Duragesic pain patches have recalled many of their fentanyl patch products due to the adverse effects. In 2007, after the FDA issued a warning because it continued to receive reports of deaths and life-threatening side effects from Fentanyl pain patches due to inappropriate doctor’s prescriptions or incorrect patient usage. The FDA instructed manufacturers to update their product information and develop a medication guide for patients. It advised consumers:
- “Fentanyl patches are only for people who are opioid-tolerant and have chronic pain that is not well controlled with other pain medicines.”
- Get medical attention for signs of a fentanyl overdose: trouble breathing, slow/shallow breathing; slow heartbeat; severe sleepiness; cold, clammy skin; trouble walking/talking; feeling faint, dizzy, or confused.
- Tell your doctor, pharmacist, and other health care professionals about all the medicines you take if prescribed with the fentanyl patch due to potentially dangerous interaction.
- Read the instructions.
- Do not use heat sources while wearing a patch (heating pads, electric blankets, saunas, heated waterbeds, hot baths, sunbathing).
Fentanyl Pain Patch Recall
There have been several Fentanyl recalls in recent years. Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson had a recall on February 12, 2008 because of manufacturing defects. This recall affects 32 million 25 microgram-per-hour patches.
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. recalled patches because of leaking fentanyl gel. These patches had expiration dates of August 31, 2009 and were 75 mph patches from lot number 92461850.
Actavis, Inc., and manufactured by Corium International Inc. announced a recall on February 17, 2008 and March 1, 2008 because of a fold-over defect that could cause leaking fentanyl gel. The Actavis Fentanyl Pain Patches affected the 25, 50, 75 and 100 mph patches with expiration dates from May 2009 to December 2009.
Fentanyl Overdose
Exposure to uncontrolled amounts of fentanyl can lead to addiction and dependency. It can potentially be fatal. Side effects that may mean an overdose of fentanyl are slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness or coma, confusion, tiredness, clammy skin, and small pupils. The drug stays in the blood stream for up to 72 hours.
If you or a loved one has used Fentanyl Pain Patch and have suffered from overdose or death, please call Longo Legal, PLLC toll free at (855) 566-4648 for a free no obligation consultation on your potential Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuit.
