Fentanyl Injuries

Johnson & Johnson's Duragesic patch contains Fentanyl, a potent drug prescribed to control severe pain. This synthetic opioid is a painkiller approximately 100 times stronger than morphine. Unfortunately, the drug’s potency also makes it very dangerous. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued multiple warnings about the risk for serious injury and death from the use of pharmaceuticals that contain Fentanyl.

If you or a loved has been injured as a result of using a drug that contains Fentanyl, you have important legal rights and may be eligible for financial compensation. The lawyers at Munley, Munley & Cartwright have extensive experience in litigating pharmaceutical injury claims. If you or someone you love has been harmed by the use of Duragesic pain patches, we may be able to help you recover the settlement you need to get your life back on track. Contact us online today, or call us toll free at 877-421-9173.

The FDA issued its first warning for Duragesic in July 2005, warning that it could cause drug overdoses and announcing that it was looking into reports of 120 deaths and other serious side effects from overdoses in patients using the skin patches for pain control. The FDA also stated that some patients and health care providers might not be fully aware of the dangers of such a powerful painkiller. The directions for using the patch must be followed exactly to prevent death or other serious side effects.

The FDA proposed precautions regarding the safe use of the patches, including patient education regarding signs of overdose, proper patch application, use of other medications while using the patch, safeguards for children, and proper storage and disposal. In December 2007, the FDA ordered all makers of Fentanyl patches to develop new medication guides spelling out in clear and simple language the dangers of overdosing.
In addition to trouble breathing or shallow breathing, here are other signs of Fentanyl overdose:

• Extreme sleepiness;
• Inability to think, talk or walk normally;
• Feeling faint, dizzy or confused;
• Slow heartbeat;
• Cold, clammy skin;
• Small, pin point pupils (black circles in the center of eyes).

People experiencing these symptoms should get medical attention immediately.

The FDA also alerted doctors that they should prescribe the lowest effective dose of the medication, and that the patches should not be used to treat short-term pain or pain after an operation. Patients should not use patches that are damaged or broken, the FDA said. They also should not drink alcoholic beverages or sit in the sun while taking the drug, because alcohol and a rise in body temperature can accentuate the narcotic effects.

In July 2009, the FDA issued increased warnings about the danger of heat for users of Fentanyl. Patients on Fentanyl should not use sources like heating pads, electric blankets, saunas or heated water beds, and they shouldn't take hot baths. The patient or caretaker should call the doctor immediately if the patient has a fever greater than 102 degrees while wearing the patch.

There have been several recalls for defective Fentanyl patches in the last three years, including one for Duragesic in 2008. Tears in two lots of patches put patients at a high risk of overdosing on Fentanyl.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by the use of Fentanyl, contact the pharmaceutical injury lawyers of Munley, Munley & Cartwright for a free consultation. Our goal is to provide exceptional legal service to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through teamwork and the use of our considerable resources and experience. For a free consultation regarding your legal concerns, contact us online today, or call us toll free at 877-421-9173.