Duragesic and Fentanyl Patch lawsuits investigated for users of recalled patches
For the third time in less than a month, a fentanyl patch recall has been issued due to fears that manufacturing defects could allow the powerful medication contained in the patch to leak directly onto the skin. This could cause respiratory depression, a fentanyl overdose or death. Millions of potentially defective patches have now been recalled and the lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential Duragesic and Fentanyl Patch lawsuits for users who have experienced a severe injury or death as a result of an overdose.
>>INFORMATION: Fentanyl Patch Lawsuits
Over the weekend, Actavis, Inc. expanded their prior generic fentanyl patch recall to include all lots of their fentanyl transdermal system patches sold in the United States. On February 17, the company recalled 14 lots of patches due to fears that they may contain a “fold-over” defect which may allow fentanyl gel to leak directly onto the skin. Millions of additional fentanyl patches are now being recalled because the company fears that the manufacturing defect may be more widespread than initially thought.
>>PRIOR POST (2/19/2008): Generic Fentanyl Patch Recall
On February 12, Johnson & Johnson announced a separate recall for about 32 million or their 25 microgram-per-hour brand-name Duragesic patches and certain generic fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz, Inc., which were made at their facility. That recall was caused by a different manufacturing defect where the patches were not properly put in place when they were cut. As a result, some of the patches contained a slit along one side, which could also allow the fentanyl gel to leak directly onto the skin.
>>PRIOR POST (2/13/2008): Duragesic Fentanyl Patch Recall
Fentanyl is a powerful opioid painkiller which is approved in gel form as the Duragesic patch and generic fentanyl patch. They deliver the fentanyl gel through a membrane which is placed onto the skin. However, if the membrane fails to properly restrict the delivery of the fentanyl, or if the gel leaks directly onto the skin of patients or caregivers who are putting the patch on someone else, it could lead to serious and potentially fatal injuries.
DURAGESIC AND FENTANYL PATCH LAWSUITS
Well before these recalls, the fentanyl lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. have been representing individuals who were injured as a result of problems with the Duragesic and Fentanyl patch. Lawsuits have been filed throughout the United States as a result of improper warnings about the risks of overdose, as well as other manufacturing defects. In July 2005 and again in December 2007, the FDA issued warnings about the risks associated with the patches and hundreds of deaths and unintentional overdoses have been caused by the dangerous pain patches.
Despite repeated manufacturing problems and reports of fentanyl overdose and death, the manufacturers of the Duragesic patch and generic fentanyl patches have continued to generate billions of dollars in sales at the expense of consumers’ health. If a friend or family member have died or suffered a catastrophic injury as a result of a fentanyl patch, request a free consultation and lawsuit evaluation.
Leaky patch Watson replaced April 2008
I have ben hospitazed around 4 x with symptons of an overdose. I am on numerouse medications I have over the years used 50 mcs 70 mcs 150mcs and now 100 mcs of fentanyl or duragesiac.
Last Friday I put on a 100mcg Duragesic Patch,in about 10 Hours I became Severly sick,Vomiting,Chills,Fever type symptoms and was in bed for 2 days straight thinking I had the flu,on Monday I put a new patch on and within 6 hours started feeling the same way,could this be a symptom of overdose?
My sister in law was prescribed these patches.She put a 50 mcg patch on and she was becoming severly sick,nausea,chill’s,feverish,swelling in her face & throat,very weak and tired.She removed the patch 2 days later and called her doctor.They did some blood work on her and immediately called her back and told her that she had to have a blood transfusion right away because something was wrong with her tests.I’m not sure what but that is where she is right this moment and i am very concerned.
My youngest sister had back surgery ( in March) and was prescribed fentanyl pain patch…she turned 43 on August 10 th… and was found dead Sept 6 th 2008…. she left behind her husband…a year old baby and a 12 year old daughter….she just keeled over and died… she was found with her feet on the floor slumped over the bed dead… it was so sudden and so tragic… we just got back the results of the toxicology reports and Fentanyl was the ingredent that possibally killed her.
My mother had 3 heartattcks that went back to 1999, with the same above listed symptons while using the patch. She was subscibed the patch for chronic pain due to Fibromyalgia. She has since not used the patch and have not had these problems. She actually saved a patch from then with a lot number…
I have been on the patch for about a year now and have had nothing but problems.My severe respertory problems have gotten worse .and I suffered an over dose with the 100mg and they put me on the 50mg. My pain is worse and I cant hardly breath.
My only sister was perscribed these patches in April 2008, three weeks later on May 14th, 2008 my sister was found dead at her home. Leaving behind her thre daughters and six grandbabies. I will never forget the hell this has caused our family ever since my sister death. I now have taken into account her three daughters and six grandbabies two more on the way. As they noe cal me their Nana. These our not pain paches they are pain killers. They KILL
I have had various dosages of the fentanyl patch for 4 years. In February of 2009 I was hospitalized for a week with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, sweating, fever, hyperactivity, hallucinations and trouble breathing.
I have had this happen 5 more times approximatly once a month. I was in the hospital 2 more times and after that I was at home. It is the worst experience that I have ever lived through and I don’t want to live if I have to go through it again. Two weeks ago was my last episode and I’m being admitted to a rehab clinic (Michael’s House) on August 19th. Hopefully I’ll get there before it strikes again.
I used the patch according to directions. Right now my dosage is 50 MG but it’s been as high as 100 MG.
I’ll let you know how rehabs goes. I never realized that other people were having problems as well.