Risk of Overdose Deaths Linked to Fentanyl Pain Patch Under Investigation

February 15, 2006 - Jersey City, NJ - Consumers are warned of defective fentanyl pain patches. Known as the Duragesic Transdermal Patch, it is a device developed to alleviate chronic pain which could possibly leak, exposing patients to dangerous levels of fentanyl, a powerful opiate based pain reliever. On July 15, 2005 the FDA issued a public health advisory concerning the Duragesic (transdermal fentanyl) patches in response to reports of deaths in patients using this potent narcotic medication for pain management. The FDA is conducting an investigation into the deaths associated with these patches
 
The fentanyl patch is comprised of an outer impermeable plastic shell and a drug permeable inner lining. The patch is applied directly to the skin where heat from the body activates a regular release of fentanyl over a 72 hour period. This drug is a powerful opiate pain-reliever held in a gel suspension between the two linings of the patch. The inner lining only lets a certain amount of the drug into the body based on the needs of the patient, typically between 25 to 100 micrograms per hour.  Sales of Duragesic earned Janssen Pharmaceutica over a billion dollars between the year 2002-2003. A problem in the seal between the linings was discovered in February 2004, prompting Janssen to initially recall one group of the patches but an additional four groups of the patch were removed from the market later in April.  The company has since recalled over two million of the patches.
 
Jersey City's Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers have begun to review and accept injury cases from surviving family members and individuals who have suffered from Fentanyl overdose. "We will be reviewing potential cases from the United States, Australia and Europe and will be filing an overdose death Complaint in California shortly," said founding partner, Ricky Bagolie.
 
Duragesic is no longer the only fentanyl pain patch being marketed. On January 28, 2005, the U.S. FDA granted final approval for Mylan Laboratories, Inc. to market a generic fentanyl transdermal system. The manufacturer of Duragesic® has also begun to market an authorized generic version of the fentanyl patch through an agreement with Sandoz. Other generic companies have applications pending at the FDA to market similar fentanyl patches, therefore, other generic versions may soon be available. Problems associated with these newer generic patches have also been reported.  "It is very difficult for a person examining a fentanyl patch to detect a defect or leak. This can lead to a dangerous situation as exposure to an excessive amount of fentanyl can lead to serious injury or death." says attorney Alan Friedman.

Pain patch recipients are asked to contact their medical provider to get more answers. If you believe that you, or a member of your family, have suffered from an overdose as a result of receiving a fentanyl pain , contact Ricky Bagolie or Alan Friedman toll free at 1-866-333-3529 or visit http://www.bagoliefriedman.com now for a free consultation.

 

This release was published on openPR.