Duragesic Patches

Duragesic patches deliver the strong opioid pain-relieving medicine fentanyl into your bloodstream for up to three days or 72 hours. The thin, rectangular adhesive patch is placed on your skin to manage constant moderate to severe chronic pain that must be treated around the clock.

On February 12, 2008, pain patches containing the prescription painkiller fentanyl manufactured by Johnson & Johnson and sold under the brand name Duragesic patch were recalled because of a serious manufacturing flaw that could cause patients to overdose.

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On March 1, 2008, Actavis Inc., announced that its subsidiary Actavis South Atlantic LLC was proceeding with the voluntarily recall from wholesalers and pharmacies of all lots of Fentanyl transdermal system CII patches sold in the United States. Unfortunately, pain patches, Duragesic and other brands, pose serious health risks to patients needing this kind of 24/7 relief.

Who uses Duragesic patches?

Patients who suffer from long-term chronic pain need Duragesic patches. Patients who require around the clock treatment where the combination of narcoticshort acting, or non-narcotic pain treatment products.. Patients who have developed a tolerance to opioid treatment.

Duragesic patches should not be prescribed for short-term pain like after surgery or dental pain.

What should patients or their caregivers know before using Duragesic patches?

1. To closely monitor the signs and symptoms of side effects which may be life threatening
2. How to safely store Duragesic patches, safely away from children or pets
3. What to do with a torn or damaged patch
4. To use the patches only as directed as too many patches within a given time period may cause an overdose
5. Duragesic patches may cause mental and/or physical impairment. People taking Duragesic patches or other similar pain patches should not drive or operate machinery or perform highly physical tasks until it is proven that they are tolerant of the side effects especially dizziness, drowsiness, and anxiety.
6. Patients using Duragesic patches or other similar pain patches should not drink alcohol, take tranquilizers (St. John’s Wort), some antibiotics, HIV meds, and sleep medications. The toxic combo could result in serious injury or death.
7. To avoid exposing the Duragesic application site to direct external heat sources, such as heating pads or electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, and heated water beds while wearing the pain patch. Heat sources may increase the fentanyl released from the patch into the bloodstream resulting in possible overdose and death.

What are the side effects of Duragesic patches?

Seek emergency medical help if you have:

• hives
• difficulty breathing
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat

Stop using Duragesic patches and call your doctor ASAP if you have any of these serious side effects:

• weak, shallow breathing
• severe weakness, feeling light-headed or fainting
• cold, clammy skin
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding

Continue using Duragesic patches and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, constipation, gas
• dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, insomnia
• muscle stiffness and back pain
• itching, blistering, redness, or swelling where the patch was worn
• increased sweating
• urinating less than usual

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