Dallas Fentanyl Injury Lawyer

Dallas Fentanyl Attorney Michael Grossman on Fentanyl Pain Patch Recalls

At 100 times the potency of morphine, Fentanyl is a powerful pain medication often used to treat chronic breakthrough pain in cancer patients. Fentanyl is also used in surgery and ICUs as anesthesia and analgesia, typically in conjunction with benzodiazepine as a potent painkiller.

While fentanyl can be received through a transdermal patch, a lozenge, a nose spray, or an inhaler, its most common use is through a Fentanyl pain patch whereby the drug is administered through the skin and released into the blood stream over a time period of 48 to 72 hours.

Unfortunately, the power of this drug that brings relief to thousands of pain sufferers across the country also has the ability to cause death if administered improperly, if taken by those without need for it, or if a Fentanyl transdermal patch leaks. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has received hundreds of reports regarding Fentanyl fatalities due to Fentanyl gel leaking from the patch, causing patients to receive much more of the drug than their bodies can handle. Multiple Fentanyl lawsuits have been brought against various manufacturers for their involvement in Fentanyl deaths. Consequently, the makers of Fentanyl have issued multiple rounds of recalls for the drug due to similar defects often found in Fentanyl transdermal patches.

Fentanyl Duragesic Recalls

• In 2004, Janssen Pharmaceuticals issued the first recall of Fentanyl due to possible leaks in one lot. The company later recalled additional lots for the same issue, known as “fold-over defects.” Other defects were later discovered by the FDA, known as “stringer leaker” defects.
• In February of 2008, Alza Corporation recalled about 32 million Duragesic patches due to the fact that small incisions in the gel packets could cause leakage leading to Fentanyl overexposure to patients. Even small amounts of exposure to the drug could cause death in people considered intolerant to opioids.
• Just a few days following the Alza recall, Actavis Inc. recalled 14 lots of Fentanyl transdermal patches.
• In late 2008, PriCara, a Johnson & Johnson unit, recalled Duragesic pain patches due to leakage issues that can lead to Fentanyl overdoses.
• In February 2011, Alza Corp. temporarily halted manufacturing Duragesic patches reportedly due to quality control issues. Since then, production and distribution has resumed.

Fentanyl Brand Names and Alternative Delivery Systems

Fentanyl may also be known by the name fentanil and is sold under the following brand names:

• Durogesic or Duragesic, made by Alza Corp., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson
  • Generic versions of Duragesic are made by Sandoz, Mylan, Watson, and Actavis
• Actiq, a Fentanyl lollipop made by Cephalon, Inc.
• Sublimaze, made by Janssen Pharmaceutical
• Fentora, made by Cephalon, Inc.
• Onsolis, an inner-cheek Fentanyl adhesive made by Aveva Drug Delivery Systems
• Instanyl, a Fentanyl nasal spray made by Nycomed
• Abstral, sublingual Fentanyl tablets made by ProStrakan, Inc.

Fentanyl patches are sold in five different dosage strengths: 12.5 mcg/hr, 25 mcg/hr, 50 mcg/hr, 75 mcg/hr, 100 mcg/hr. Patches deliver Fentanyl continuously for three days.

Fentanyl Side Effects

Did You Know?

Michael Grossman has been fighting for drug victims` rights for over 20 years. Call Mike to discuss your case. 1-855-326-0000

The side effects of Fentenyl usage can include, but is not limited to:

• Abdominal pain
• Anxiety
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Difficulty walking
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Indigestion
• Itching
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Weight loss

Severe Fentanyl side effects can include:

• Allergic reactions
  • Rash, hives, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue
• Hallucinations
• Rigid muscles
• Seizures
• Slow heartbeat / irregular heartbeat
• Slowed breathing
• Trouble breathing
• Weakness

Actiq Lollipops

In addition to the issues outlined above in regards to Duragesic patches, the active ingredient in Actiq lollipops, Fentanyl, has also caused these candy-flavored drug suckers to prove problematic in regards to proper prescription and usage of this particular type of painkiller. While beneficial toward assisting acute pain sufferers in receiving relief in a short amount of time, these Fentanyl lollipops have reportedly been improperly prescribed to patients who are not suffering from severe pain. Consequently, the overuse of Actiq lollipops has resulted in injury and harm to those who never should have been prescribed the drug in the first place. Additionally, Cephalon, Inc. has been questioned as to its marketing practices for the drug, purporting that they describe the drug as purposeful for such common issues like headaches or chronic back pain. Actiq lollipops are intended to be used only by those suffering from pain related to cancer; however, such patients account for only a small portion of users of Actiq. Those who suffer serious consequences as a result of using Actiq due to the misleading of a doctor may have grounds for a medical malpractice lawsuit in Texas.

Dallas Drug Injury Lawyer Michael Grossman Can Help if You or a Loved One Has Suffered as a Result of a Defective Fentanyl Pain Patch

Rather ironically, a drug meant to prevent pain can cause enormous amounts of pain or loss. Due to Fentanyl’s potency, it makes for effective pain management for those that are likely experiencing pain that most people cannot imagine. Unfortunately, that same potency can cause severe injury or death if received in an improper way or by someone that does not require such a strong painkiller. In the event that you have suffered further pain due to a faulty Fentanyl patch or a defective Duragesic pain patch, contact Fentanyl lawyer Michael Grossman to discuss your legal options. You may have merit in proceeding with a Texas medical malpractice lawsuit that can work to compensate you for your medical bills, lost wages, and other financial losses. Additionally, such a personal injury lawsuit can work to hold negligent drug manufacturers accountable for their failure to create a safe delivery system for such a powerful drug.

If you have lost a loved one due to a Fentanyl patch leak, contact our Dallas wrongful death attorneys. With two decades of relevant experience in Texas wrongful death cases, we are confident in our abilities to help you and your family seek the justice you deserve, even against large drug companies. While they’ll be ready to fight your claims at every step of the way due to the enormous amounts of money they likely have tied into their product lines, we will combat their most aggressive attorneys with relevant evidence, expert medical testimony, and a compelling argument made on behalf of your lost loved one. Those that have experienced inordinate pain should not suffer further pain or loss due to a drug that purports to free a patient from such suffering. With our help, we can work together to ensure that you’re able to seek fair compensation for your losses while bringing each and every liable party to justice for their negligent actions. Contact the Fentanyl accident law firm of Grossman Law Offices today.