Fentanyl Patches Recalled by Manufacturers
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| Photo: Gold Standard |
It has not been two months since fentanyl, a prescription patch used for moderate to severe pain, was last in the news. The manufacturer is now recalling all lots of 25 microgram/hour (mcg/hr) Duragesic CII patches, the brand form, and all generic lots (also 25 mcg/hr) with expiration dates of December 2009 or earlier from pharmacies in the US and Canada.
Fourteen lots of the Actavis Fentanyl Transdermal System are also being recalled.
This time the problem is in the packaging. The container that holds the drug may have been cut, which could lead to a leak. If it leaks, you and/or anyone who administers the patch to you could be exposed to the drug, and run the risk of serious side effects. The side effects include a lethal overdose of this narcotic and/or serious respiratory depression.
If you handle a defected Duragesic or fentanyl patch package, the first thing to do is to rinse with a lot of water, but no soap. Then get rid of any of the patches that have cut edges – flush them down the toilet. But don’t handle them directly when you dispose of them, or at any other time.
Next check the expiration of the fentanyl you have on hand. If the expiration date on the package is December 2009 or earlier, and you have Duragesic, you can call the PriCara hotline at: (800) 547-6446. If you have the generic type, made by Sandoz, Call (800) 901-7236.
Fentanyl patches were in the news in December 2007 because the FDA has received many reports of serious side effects in people using the patch inappropriately. For more information on that, here is the FDA press release.
Comments
This is important information for the public. You need to get this also into the newspapers for those who do not have computers. I am 68 and belong to a whole generation of individuals who are being sold patches for obesity, smoking and now, this. We are being told that there are no side affects to natural ingredients. Education like this is needed.
As if it is not stressfull enough having chronic pain, we sufferers now have to deal with this! The side effects are rather important to know…like, death!! Thank you for this important warning, and I hope everyone that needs to know this will hear about it!
My father died of a fentanyl overdose on Christmas Eve. He had one on at dinner the Friday before, and was found dead with two on on that Sunday. He knew they were dangerous, but then again almost every drug comes with serious side effect warnings. How could this product still be on the market?
Really sorry to hear about your father, ashleu.