What is Duragesic?
Duragesic, known generically as the fentanyl transdermal system, is marketed by Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P., a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson. Duragesic is a pain medication in the form of a patch that is attached to the skin of the patient. The patch contains a strong narcotic, fentanyl, which is a Schedule II opioid agonist. Fentanyl is contained in the patch in the form of a gel, and this pain medication is absorbed through the patient's skin. Duragesic is prescribed for individuals who suffer from long periods of chronic pain, possibly exceeding a few weeks or longer, and who require strong pain medication around the clock. Duragesic was the first painkiller patch to receive approval in 1990.
Duragesic Side Effects
Duragesic is considered a controlled substance because it contains a powerful narcotic medication and it therefore has the potential for abuse. The Schedule II opioid substances have the highest potential for abuse. Therefore, side effects of Duragesic may include addiction, or symptoms of physical dependency, and withdrawal, if use is stopped abruptly. In addition, Duragesic may cause life threatening respiratory depression, called hypoventilation. Respiratory depression has been linked to opioid agonists in general, including fentanyl.
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Death and Duragesic Overdose
The FDA has reported that they are looking into reports of death and serious side effects from the use of Duragesic. On July 15, 2005, the FDA issued a health advisory concerning the safe use of the pain patch because of reports of patients dying while using Duragesic. Deaths and overdoses have occurred in patients using Duragesic and in patients using a generic version of the patch. The FDA is looking into reports of 120 dead patients who had used painkiller patches containing fentanyl. The FDA is attempting to determine whether the deaths are linked to the quality of the products or to inappropriate use of the painkiller patches. Patients using the Duragesic pain patch should be aware of signs of overdose. Symptoms of a possible overdose may include trouble breathing, sedation, sleepiness, difficulty thinking, talking or walking in a normal fashion, and feeling confused or dizzy.
Duragesic Recall
In February of 2004, Janssen Pharmaceutica recalled one of its lots of Duragesic pain patches because of a potential seal breach on the edge of the pain patch that may cause the drug to leak. If the drug leaks out of the patch it may cause increased absorption of the pain medication, which increases the effect of the drug. The effects of the drug leaking may include sedation, nausea, overdose, and potentially fatal complications. Leaking medication may not be able to provide adequate relief for the patient's pain. In April of 2004 Janssen Pharmaceutica expanded the recall from one lot to five different lots of the pain patches.
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Questions and Consultations
If you or a family member has used prescription Duragesic and would like to discuss your rights, are interested in more information on Duragesic lawsuits, or if you have information about the cases that you would like to share with us, please click here to fill out a short evaluation form, and a member of Seeger Weiss LLP's experienced staff will call you to discuss your potential rights concerning Duragesic. Attorney consultations incur no obligation on your part and all initial consultations are free of charge and do not create an attorney-client relationship. Seeger Weiss LLP has office locations in both New York and New Jersey and its attorneys practice in courts throughout the country.
Further Reading
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/InfoSheets/patient/fentanylPIS.htm
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/advisory/fentanyl.htm
Link To Lawyer Seek's Duragesic Content:
<a href='http://www.lawyerseek.com/Practice/Pharmaceutical-Injury-C1/Duragesic-P64/'>Duragesic: Lawyer Seek</a> |
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