Fentanyl Drug Lawsuits

Houston Fentanyl Attorney Michael Grossman on Fentanyl Pain Patch Recalls

Known to be 100 times more potent than morphine, Fentanyl is a strong pain medication often given to help with chronic pain for cancer patients. Fentanyl is often found in surgery and ICUs as a form of anesthesia and analegesia, typically used along with benzodiazepine as a heavy painkiller.

Patients usually get fentanyl through a transdermal patch, lozenge, nose spray or inhaler, but the most common use is through a patch where the drug is transmitted into the skin and it travels through the blood stream over a span of 48 to 72 hours.

Unfortunately, the same drug that can provide pain relief to thousands across the United States also can potentially cause deaths if given incorrectly, such as when people who don’t need it take it, or if one of the patches leaks. There are reports from the Food and Drug Administration about hundreds of stories involving Fentanyl-related deaths due to its gel leaking out of the patch, resulting in patients getting an overdose of the drug. Numerous Fentanyl lawsuits have been filed against different companies for their part in the Fentanyl fatalities. As a result, Fentanyl’s makers have published several recalls for the drug because of similar defects found many times in Fentanyl transdermal patches.

Fentanyl Duragesic Recalls

• In 2004, Janssen Pharmaceuticals released the first Fentanyl recall because of potential leaks in some patches. The company later issued more recalls for the same problem that was referred to as “fold-over defects.” The FDA later uncovered similar defects called “stringer leaker” defects.
• In February 2008, Alza Corporation recalled nearly 32 million Duragesic patches because small abrasions in the gel packets could lead to leakage and result in Fentanyl overexposure for its users. Even tiny amounts of exposure to the drug could lead to people dying who were intolerant to opiods.
• Shortly after the Alza recall, Actavis Inc. recalled 14 more lots of Fentanyl transdermal patches.
• In late 2008, PriCara, a Johnson & Johnson company, issued recalls for Duragesic pain patches because of leakage problems that could end up causing overdoses.
• In February 2011, Alza Corp. stopped manufacturing Duragesic patches briefly because of alleged quality control problems. Production and distribution has continued since then.

Fentanyl Brand Names and Alternative Delivery Systems

If you or a loved one takes Fentanyl it may be sold under different brand names like the following: Durogesic or Duragesic (from Alza Corp., a branch of Johnson & Johnson. Generic versions of Duragesic are also created by Sandoz, Mylan, Watson and Actavis), Actiq (from Cephalon, Inc.), Sublimaze (Janssen Pharmaceutical), Fentora (Cephalon, Inc.), Onsolis (a Fentanyl adhesive for the inner-cheek made by Aveva Drug Delivery Systems), Instanyl (Fentanyl nasal spray from Nycomed) and Abstral (Fentanyl tablets from ProStrakan, Inc.).

Fentanyl patches are sold in sizes beginning with 12.5 mcg/hr, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mcg/hr. Patches provide users with Fentanyl nonstop for three days.

Fentanyl Side Effects

Reported side effects for those using Fentanyl can include such things as abdominal pain, anxiety, confusion, constipation, problems walking, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, indigestion, itching, nausea, vomiting and weight loss.

Severe Fentanyl side effects range from allergic reactions (rash, hives, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue), hallucinations, tight muscles, seizures, slow or irregular heartbeat, slowed breathing, trouble breathing or weakness.

Actiq Lollipops

Along with the concerns detailed above regarding Duragesic patches, the active ingredient in Actiq lollipops, Fentanyl, has resulted in these candy-flavored drugs to pose issues when it comes to the right prescription dosage and how this kind of painkiller is administered. While it can be helpful for individuals dealing with acute pain and relieving that temporarily, these drugs have reportedly been given to patients who never really needed it. As a result, the abuse of Actiq lollipops has led to injury and harm for those who never should have obtained it to begin with. Along with that, Cephalon, Inc., has received criticism for how it markets the drug, supposedly suggesting the drug as a use for those with basic issues like headaches or chronic back pain. The main use for Actiq lollipops has always been for those with pain stemming from cancer; however, the amount of those patients are a small percentage of total Actiq users. Those who are critically injured because of using Actiq after improper prescriptions from a doctor could have cause to file a medical malpractice lawsuit in Texas.

Houston Fentanyl Lawyer Michael Grossman Can Help if You or a Loved One has Suffered as a Result of a Defective Fentanyl Pain Patch

What’s ironic is that a drug developed for pain prevention may cause further pain or loss. Because of Fentanyl’s effects, it’s a great option for pain management for patients experiencing unbearable amounts of pain. At the same time, that level of potency can lead to injury or death if taken the wrong way or by someone who needs something far less heavy. If you have endured additional pain because of a flawed Fentanyl patch or defective Duragesic pain patch, call Fentanyl attorney Michael Grossman to discover what your legal options are. You may have a credible reason to look into a Texas medical malpractice lawsuit that can compensate you for medical expenses, lost income and other financial burdens. Along with that, that kind of personal injury lawsuit can also become a warning for drug manufacturers, holding them in check for their inability to develop a proper delivery system for such a potent drug.

If you’ve lost a family member because of a leaky Fentanyl patch, call our Houston wrongful death attorneys. With 20 years of qualified experience in Texas wrongful death cases, we are confident we can assist you and your family in getting justice, even when it’s against gigantic drug companies. They’re going to likely fight your claim every chance they get because of the potential millions of dollars on the line with their product, but we will face off with their best defense attorneys with credible evidence, proper medical testimony from experts and a great case for your loved one. Those that have indured incredible amounts of pain shouldn’t have to be trapped in even more pain because of a drug that’s supposed to leave its users from this very issue. With our assistance, we can combine our efforts to make sure you get properly compensated for your loss while making sure those responsible for such negligence are held accountable. Call the Fentanyl accident law firm of Grossman Law Offices today.