Duragesic And Fentanyl Pain Patch Recall Highlights Dangers Of Fentanyl

After two major recalls of fentanyl pain patches, many are beginning to understand the dangers of fentanyl. Duragesic and generic fentanyl pain patches are a serious narcotic opiate that has a similar composition to morphine and heroin.

Recalls of Duragesic and Fentanyl patches were made due to a defect in the fentanyl gel reservoir of the pain patches. Duragesic and Fentanyl pain patches may have a cut along the side of the reservoir, allowing direct contact with fentanyl gel, which can be life threatening.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as well as Fentanyl attorneys, have been investigating deaths linked to the fentanyl pain patches, while more emergency rooms and morgues are discovering fentanyl overdoses.

Many have been found to be purposefully misusing fentanyl because of addiction. Due to the composition of fentanyl, addiction is a major risk. Duragesic or Fentanyl pain patches should only be prescribed to those who are suffering from chronic pain, due to a terminal illness and who are accustomed to using narcotics for pain relief.

The FDA was alerted to physicians mis-prescribing fentanyl to patients suffering from non-chronic pain, such as migraine headaches and post-surgery pain. It has also been reported that doctors have prescribed fentanyl to patients who are not accustomed to narcotic drugs, which means that they have not used a narcotic medication for a full week, 24 hours a day.

The mis-prescription of fentanyl can lead to serious adverse effects through misuse. If misused, Duragesic and Fentanyl pain patches can cause serious illness or death through respiratory depression or overdose.

The symptoms of a Duragesic or Fentanyl overdose are:

• Shallow and/or troubled breathing
• Extreme tiredness, sleepiness or sedation
• Inability to talk, walk or think normally
• Feeling confused
• Feeling faint or dizzy

If any of the above symptoms occur, it is important to seek help immediately.

It is important for a doctor to only prescribe Duragesic and Fentanyl pain patches if absolutely necessary. If prescribed, follow the FDA’s recommended safety precautions and never use a damaged patch in order to prevent a potential overdose. A defective drug attorney may be able to find a doctor liable for serious illness or death if it is found that the doctor mis-prescribed Duragesic or Fentanyl patches. A medication error attorney can give you more information.

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