Fentanyl (Duragesic) Patch Recall

On February 12, 2008, PriCara, an affiliate of Ortho-McNeill-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, issued a recall on its Duragesic painkiller patches. Every 25 microgram-per-hour patch that has been released into retail outlets containing an expiration date of December 2009 or earlier is included.

Duragesic patches are capable of giving users up to three consecutive days of pain relief. Its primary ingredient, fentanyl, is a very potent opioid that is more powerful than morphine. Generally, cancer patients or people experiencing chronic pain are given prescriptions for fentanyl patches. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) obtained reports showing that Duragesic has also been prescribed for pain relief following surgery as well as extreme headaches.

PriCara announced this recall when the FDA brought the effectiveness of the drug into question. Studies revealed that fentanyl gel had been leaking from a pocket inside the patch; once the lining of the patch is damaged and gel seeps through, any contact between the gel and the patient has proven to have deadly effects.

According to PriCara, approximately one in every 500,000 Duragesic patches is prone to leakage. Although this seems like such a tiny percentage, the fact that any user is potentially endangered by the drug validated the recall.

All consumers who have defective Duragesic patches are strongly recommended to flush them down the toilet as soon as possible, avoiding contact with their skin in the process. Anyone who is unfortunate enough to get fentanyl gel on their skin should douse the area with water without using soap. Any sign of breathing problems may indicate fentanyl intoxication, in which case you should seek immediate medical care.

If you or someone you love has been harmed by a defective Duragesic patch, you deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering. Drug manufacturers are liable for guaranteeing product safety prior to release to the public. Failure to ensure this is considered negligent behavior, which warrants a personal injury lawsuit. Our experienced team of product liability attorneys at Morgan & Morgan is standing by. Contact us now if you believe you have a legitimate case or would like inquire about your options.