Steps to Take with Duragesic Pain Patch Problems

In mid-February 2008, Johnson & Johnson issued a major recall of their Duragesic Pain Patches, a medical option used to treat chronic pain. This recall affects patients in every part of the United States, Canada, and other countries, and could even lead to death for some people. Are you worried that your Duragesic Pain Patches could be among those recalled? If so, here are the steps you need to take to ensure your safety.

First, check out your Duragesic Pain Patch information. Both brand name and generic Duragesic Pain Patches are among those being recalled. Initial reports only called for the pulling of 25-mg/hour patches, but later in February, Johnson & Johnson recalled other dosages as well. The affected patches have an expiration date of 2009 or sooner. In some cases, you may be able to see the problem, but even if the patches look fine, you need to discard them immediately.

If your Duragesic Pain Patches are among those that were recalled, your next step should be to remove the patch you are currently wearing. If you’re not sure how to safely do this, call a doctor. The process is actually quiet simply. Because the pain patch could be torn, leaking the drug fentanyl onto your skin, you should wear rubber gloves to remove the patch if at all possible. Mildly wash the area without soap and inspect for rash problems. Discard the Duragesic Pain Patch, being careful to avoid contact with the medication. Even if you don’t think you’ve touched it, wash your hands afterward.

Your third step is to call your doctor. The major problem with the Duragestic Pain Patches is overdose of fentanyl. Fentanyl, as your doctor hopefully already explained, is a very, very dangerous drug. Overdosing can lead to a number of medical problems, most dangerous of which is hypoventilation. With this condition, your slowly lose the ability to breathe, and the body is not able to get enough oxygen. Eventually, you’ll slip into a coma and die. Even if your condition does not worsen to this state, overdosing can lead to problems with your vision, dizziness, sleepiness, and nausea. Everyone reacts differently, depending on exposure and previous experience with the drug.

Lastly, make sure that as a fourth step you contact a lawyer. Lawyers like those at Anapol Schwartz can help you by teaching you about your rights in a recall situation. Filing suit against Johnson & Johnson can help you get the money you need to pay for the medical problems they caused. Contact Anapol Schwartz today to take about your experiences with Duragesic Pain Patches.