The Duragesic Patch, manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceutical Products, and the generic fentanyl transdermal skin patch manufactured by Mylan Laboratories and Actavis Inc., are drug delivery patches that administer doses of the potent narcotic fentanyl through the skin. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) issued a Public Advisory Warning in July 2005 announcing an investigation into the safety of pain patches after 120 deaths were linked to fentanyl patch use.

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Fentanyl is a narcotic drug, said to be up to 100 times as strong as morphine, and an overdose can cause death. The symptoms of a fentanyl overdose include:

• Trouble breathing or shallow breathing
• Loss of consciousness or coma
• Seizures
• Cold and clammy skin
• Small pupils
• Tiredness
• Extreme sleepiness or sedation
• Confusion
• Inability to function normally
• Faintness
• Dizziness  

Overdoses of fentanyl that are not fatal can cause damage to the cardiovascular system (bradycardia) and to the central nervous system. Continued exposure to high doses can lead to dependency and narcotic addiction.

If you or a family member have been prescribed a Duragesic or generic pain patch, you should consult with your health care provider about how to avoid overdoses and be very careful not to use damaged patches or old patches that might have been on the recall list for leaking patches.

In 2007 the FDA issued an additional alert about fentanyl patches, giving the following advice:

• The fentanyl patch should only be used by patients who are opioid-tolerant and have chronic pain that is not well controlled with other pain medicines.
• Healthcare professionals who prescribe and patients who use the fentanyl patch should be aware of the signs of fentanyl overdose.
• Patients prescribed the fentanyl patch should tell their doctor about all the medicines that they take to avoid dangerous interactions.
• Patients and their caregivers should be told how to use the fentanyl patch.
• Heat may increase the amount of fentanyl that reaches the blood and can cause life-threatening breathing problems and death.  

If you use fentanyl patches take them out of the package with protective gloves on and examine them carefully for leaks, flaws, or variations in size. If you have any doubts about a patch, do not use it.

If you or a loved one have been injured or a family member has died after using a Duragesic Patch or generic pain patch, you may be able to recover damages. See Hiring a Duragesic Patch Attorney for information on finding a Duragesic Patch lawyer who can evaluate your case.

Check out the following articles for more information about Duragesic Patch, filing a Duragesic Patch lawsuit and finding a Duragesic Patch attorney.

• For more information about Duragesic Patch, see Drug Overview: Duragesic Patch Side Effects and Claims
• For more information about Duragesic Patch updates, see Duragesic Patch Information and Warnings
• To find out more about the FDA warning, see Duragesic Patch Side Effects and Risks
• If you would like to learn more about Duragesic Patch lawsuits, see Duragesic Patch Lawsuits, Litigation & Lawyers
• To learn more about Duragesic Patch attorneys and how to find one, see Hiring a Duragesic Patch Attorney and Lawyer

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