Over the past several years numerous manufacturers have, either voluntarily or at the prompting of the FDA, massively recalled many of their fentanyl patch products due to the adverse effects. These adverse effects include respiratory depression and possible overdose, which is potentially fatal. These are serious safety issues that are being addressed in fentanyl-related lawsuits.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl (brand-name: Duragesic) is a prescription pain reliever. It is administered via a skin patch, injected into a vein, or ingested as a tablet or small, grape-flavored cone on a stick. The patch provides 2 to 3 days of medicine for pain relief with variable strengths.1
According to WebMD, Fentanyl decreases pain feelings as well as the emotional response to pain by blocking specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord. It functions similarly to morphine and other opioids. Fentanyl is usually used for chronic pain, often as a last resort after other pain medicines fail.
Fentanyl Side Effects
Some fentanyl side effects include:
* drowsiness
* feelings of elation (euphoria)
* dry mouth
* difficulty urinating
* difficulty breathing
* constipation
* skin reactions
FDA Warnings
FDA warnings about Fentanyl date back to 2005, when the public and health-care providers were warned that "directions on the product label and on the patient package insert should be followed exactly in order to avoid overdose." A 2nd warning was issued in 2007, after the FDA continued to receive reports of deaths and life-threatening side effects due to inappropriate doctor's prescriptions or incorrect patient usage. At that time, the agency told manufacturers to update their product information and develop a medication guide for patients. It also 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).
Tell Your Doctor, Pharmacist Or Other Care Professional About All The Medicines You Take If Prescribed With The Fentanyl Patch Due To Potentially Deadly Interactions.
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