Fentanyl Patches Recalled

[UndercovrAngel]

Patches Containing Potent Painkiller Recalled


Patches containing the powerful prescription opiod painkiller fentanyl have been recalled because a flaw could cause patients or caregivers to overdose on the drug, the Associated Press reported.

Sold in the United States under the brand name Duragesic by PriCara and generically by Sandoz Inc., the recall includes all 25-microgram-per-hour patches with expiration dates
on or before December 2009. The patches were also sold in Canada under the Duragesic brand by Janssen-Ortho Inc. and generically by Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd., the AP said.

A total of about 32 million patches will be recalled. PriCara estimates that two patches per million -- or a total of 64 -- have the defect, the Wall Street Journal said.

The AP said some of the patches might have a cut in the lining that contains fentanyl in gel form. If the gel leaks into the drug's packaging, it could cause a patient or caregiver to come in contact with the drug, possibly leading to difficulty breathing and even a fatal overdose. The drug is often prescribed for people dealing with chronic pain, such as cancer patients.

For details in Duragesic patches sold by PriCara,call 1-800-547-6446. For details on generic fentanyl patched sold by SANDOZ, CALL 1-800-901-7236.

[backache]

This is very interesting I hope no one is injured.

Angel Is your avatar a pic of you? And if it is are you related to anyone in PA?

[capricorn]

thanks for sharing , Angel. I was a nervous wreck when hubby was using them . Very grateful when he decided he didn't like the way he felt. The detox was horrible for about a month and he was only on 25 mg. for about 3 months.

CAP

[UndercovrAngel]

I was given a scrip for fentanyl 25mcg patches back on January 21, and after having one of the patches on for less than 24 hours (and it did help me more than anything else has), I had a severe reaction to it and my MD took me off of it ASAP. When I saw this recall, I immediately checked the boxes of remaining patches and both of them were included. But, being the generic form through Sandoz, I was told that the recall was being done at the pharmacy level. I haven't had a chance to call the pharmacy as I am dealing with the repercussions from a lumbar nerve block that I had yesterday that has made my RSD worse instead of better.

BK.. yes, my avatar is a picture of me, taken back in 2006 when I was living in Vegas. I don't know if I have any relatives in PA, but there is a good chance that I might. My ancestors on my mothers side came from Canada and Connecticutt.

Cap, when I had my reaction, I swore that I was going to die. I have never been so miserable in all my life. Luckily, I wasn't on them long enough to have any kind of withdrawal. I am glad that your husband is no longer on them. They sure are some nasty meds.

Angel ^j^

[Bummer Knees]

Thank you for posting about the recall, I have read on this forum I.W.s that use this patch.

In a recent Nursing magazine a warning was issue on Tiger Balm pain patches after a young lady O.D. on them from using muti patches at a time. I will try and obtain more information on this article if anyone would like it.

This week Icey Hot issued a warning about their product causing burns to the skin. This is a specific lot number of Icey Hot involved, this information was in the national news this week.

[Still in Limbo]

Thanks for the Info. Angel! I am Using the Duragesic 100 mcg. per Hr. 3 Day patch, if You see anything about that, Please let Me Know, and Thanks Again!!

[UndercovrAngel]

The funny thing is, is that I read about the recall on my cell phone (I get news everyday on it)at about 4 in the morning when I couldn't sleep. However, I didn't see anything on the tv news or online until the afternoon. I guess sometimes it pays to read news in some of the most unlikely places.

Angel ^j^

[capricorn]

Morning Angel>>>you're so right. You never know where you'll get the info but glad you did. I used to visit another forum, striclty a health forum, and no longer do because when I mentioned something about these patches being recalled before I had quite a few nasty people jump on me. I did stay for awhile and found out that others were notified by their Dr.'s that they were removed from the market only to be put back on shortly afterwards. Thank you for the info. They're potent patches to begin with all using them must know any added dangers.


CAP

How's your diabetes? I had to get a trigger point yesterday for horrrible pain in my sciatic area. Been up all night because my glucose has been over 200 since. Makes me always think of you. Lord how we have to forfeit one health issue to fix another. sad.