Fentanyl Pain Patch Injury

The fentanyl pain patch is a fentanyl transdermal patch used for the management of chronic pain. The fentanyl patch was approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1990. The approved indication for the patch is limited to treatment of persistent moderate to severe pain. The patch was initially prescribed primarily for cancer patients, but more widespread use for other types of pain has become common.

The fentanyl patches are easy for patients to use. The patch is applied to the skin and delivers fentanyl through the skin. The drug is slowly absorbed into the bloodstream through the skin and can relieve pain for up to three days from a single patch application. Typically, it can take up to 12 to 18 hours for the patch to reach the peak of pain relief, although some early pain relief can occur at four to six hours after the first administration. Additional information on the proper use of fentanyl pain patches can be found on the FDA’s website at http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2006/206_fentanyl.html.

Fentanyl patches were recently recalled in February 2008, by Johnson & Johnson due to concerns that the patches contained defects that caused them to leak increased amounts of the drug into patients’ bloodstreams. In all, the company recalled 32 million patches and the recall included Duragesic® and Sandoz brands. In addition, on February 18, 2008, Actavis Inc., the United States manufacturing and marketing division of the international generic pharmaceutical company Actavis Group HF, announced that 14 lots of fentanyl transdermal system CII patches sold in the United States were being voluntarily recalled from wholesalers and pharmacies because of leak defects. In each of these recalls, the manufacturers warned that exposure to the gel in the patch could lead to serious injury or death.

The Kreeger Law is involved in litigating these cases for its clients. If you or a loved one has suffered injury, harm or death as a result of the use of any fentanyl patch, please contact us by calling toll free 1-888-760-8400.

With two offices in the greater Sacramento area we are able to meet with you at your most convenient location.
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