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Recall of Fentanyl Painkiller Patches

By FindLaw Staff

Painkiller patches containing the prescription medication fentanyl are being recalled, because a cut in the patch's drug reservoir may cause a harmful overdose of the potent painkiller. The affected patches are sold by PriCara under the Duragesic brand name. A generic version of the fentanyl patches is marketed by Sandoz Inc. The recall applies to all 25 microgram/hour fentanyl patches (brand name and generic) with expiration dates on or before December 2009. The recalled patches should be discarded immediately. PriCara is advising patients with recalled 25 mcg/hr Duragesic patches to call 800-547-6446, while patients with recalled 25 mcg/hr Sandoz Inc. should call 800-901-7236. In December 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Public Health Advisory on fentanyl patch misuse and risk of overdose.

• Press Release on Recall of Duragesic Patches (PriCara)
• FDA Public Health Advisory on Fentanyl (12/21/07)
• Fentanyl Patient Information Sheet (FDA) [PDF file]
• Duragesic Health and Legal Information (FindLaw)

Full post as published by FindLaw's Common Law on February 14, 2008 (boomark / email).