Web Resources: Unsafe Drug Litigation, Duragesic Patch Recall, Fentanyl, Fentora, Actiq

Lawyers Lead in Unsafe Drug Litigation
Since its founding in 1977, the Pennsylvania law firm of Anapol Schwartz has grown to over 30 attorneys, and compiled a record of success unusual among its peers. The attorneys of Anapol Schwartz are bar association leaders, and serve as speakers, course planners and authors. With sound legal experience, the law firm continues to provide consumers with superior negotiation and trial work. Anapol Schwartz is proud of its landmark verdicts and settlements, and its ability to give clients respect and personal attention. The law firm has offices in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and Reading, Harrisburg, Media, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Please contact them for your free duragesic patch consultation.

Duragesic/PriCara and Fentanyl/Sandoz Patches Recalled (2.12.08)
PriCara, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said today that all lots of 25 microgram/hour (mcg/hr) DURAGESIC® (fentanyl transdermal system) CII patches sold by PriCara in the United States and all 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz Inc. in the United States are being voluntarily recalled as a precaution from wholesalers and pharmacies.

FDA Fentanyl Advisory (12.21.07)
Here is important information for the safe use of Fentanyl Transdermal Patch: The FDA is once again issuing a public health advisory to alert patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to important information on the safe use of the fentanyl patch (marketed as Duragesic and generics).

Fentanyl (Duragesic) Black Box Warning
DURAGESIC contains a high concentration of a potent Schedule II opioid agonist, fentanyl. Schedule II opioid substances which include fentanyl, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone have the highest potential for abuse and associated risk of fatal overdose due to respiratory depression.

Duragesic Drug Insert (patient information)
This leaflet contains important information about DURAGESIC®. Read this Patient information carefully before you start using DURAGESIC®. Read it each time you get a prescription. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment.

FDA Advisory for Fentora Pain Killer Lozenges
FDA is issuing this public health advisory to alert patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to important information on the safe use of Fentora, a narcotic medicine for treating pain in cancer patients who are opioid-tolerant. FDA has received reports of death and life-threatening side effects in patients who have taken Fentora.

Actiq: Lethal Lollipop Pain Killer
Actiq is indicated only for the management of breakthrough cancer pain in patients with malignancies who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. Patients considered opioid tolerant are those who are taking at least 60 mg morphine/day, 50 mcg transdermal fentanyl/hour, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid for a week or longer. Actiq is intended to be used only in the care of cancer patients and only by oncologists and pain specialists who are knowledgeable of and skilled in the use of Schedule II opioids to treat cancer pain.