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Fentanyl Pain Patch

Fentanyl is the most powerful narcotic pain medication used for the management of chronic severe or breakthrough pain. The patches work by releasing fentanyl into body fats, which then slowly release the drug into the blood stream over 48 to 72 hours, allowing for long lasting relief from pain. The patches are available in generic form and are available for lower costs. Fentanyl patches are manufactured in five patch sizes: 12.5 micrograms/hour, 25 µg/h, 50 µg/h, 75 µg/h, and 100 µg/h. Dosage is based on the size of the patch, since the transdermal absorption rate is generally constant at a constant skin temperature. Rate of absorption is dependent on a number of factors. Body temperature, skin type, amount of body fat, and placement of the patch can have major effects. The different delivery systems used by different makers will also affect individual rates of absorption. The typical patch will take effect under normal circumstances usually within 8-12 hours, thus fentanyl patches are often prescribed with another opiate (such as morphine sulfate) to handle breakthrough pain.
Fentanyl is extremey dangerous because of its strength and the high risk of overdose, which can cause death. Companies like Johnson & Johnson, Sandoz and Watson Pharmaceuticals manufacture pain patches sometimes called duragesic patches that patients wear on their body in order to receive a constant delivery of the medication for pain relief.
Unfortunately, there have been many instances when these pain patches have malfunctioned causing the patch to deliver too mucyh fentanyl at one time. When this happens the patient suffers an overdose of fentanyl and can die.

A number of fatal fentanyl overdoses have been directly tied to the drug over the past several years. In particular, manufacturers of time-release fentanyl patches have come under scrutiny for defective products. While the fentanyl contained in the patches was safe, a malfunction of the patches caused an excessive amount of fentanyl to leak and to be absorbed by patients, resulting in life-threatening side effects and even death.
Manufacturers of fentanyl transdermal pain patches have voluntarily recalled numerous lots of their patches and the FDA has issued Public Health Advisories related to the fentanyl patch dangers. Manufacturers affected include Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P.; Alza Corporation; Actavis South Atlantic, LLC; Sandoz; and Cephalon, Inc..
The law firm of Schachter Hendy & Johnson has experience with defective fentanyl pain patches in Kentucky and Ohio. If you have a family member that has suffered from an overdose of fentanyl from a defective pain patch, the attorneys in our office can give you sound legal advice as to your legal rights.

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Schachter, Hendy & Johnson, Attorneys At Law
909 Wrights Summit Parkway
Suite 210
Fort Wright, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 578-4444
Fax: (859) 578-4440
Toll Free: (888) 606-5297

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Schachter, Hendy & Johnson, Attorneys At Law
909 Wrights Summit Parkway
Suite 210
Fort Wright, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 578-4444
Fax: (859) 578-4440
Toll Free: (888) 606-5297

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