Duragesic Pain Patch - Drug Fentanyl - Flawed Duragesic Pain Patch

Recently, because of an increase in reports of manufacturing defects in Duragesic pain patches, Johnson & Johnson has announced their recall from the market. The main problem with the product is associated with the leakage of the medicine inside the patches.

The Recall Story Of Duragesic Pain Patch

Doctors may suggest a Duragesic pain patch to patients suffering from chronic pain. These patches usually contain the drug called fentanyl. The user has to wear these patches on his/her back or chest. After the user wears it, the pain patch starts to release the pain relief medications slowly and this enters the bloodstream through the skin. These patches do not bring instant relief. It usually takes a couple of days to get the desired relief. The relief is achieved after the medicines reach a certain saturation level in the blood stream.

However, it is important for you to understand that some flawed Duragesic pain patches may result in several serious adverse reactions when the medication is delivered too quickly (in too high of a dose).

Recently, Johnson & Johnson has recalled its patch products from the market, as those products were prone to leak. In case of leakage, the patients may get exposed to a lethal dose of these medicines. The company announced the recall in the second week of February. It all happened when FDA found that out of every million, at least two patches leak.

This recall was conducted on a large scale. As per the FDA report, almost 32 million of the Duragesic pain patches were recalled. The recall list in this regard also includes generic Sandoz Inc. 25 microgram-per-hour pain patches and the Duragesic 25 microgram-per-hour patches. FDA has already issued warnings against the patches, as it was found that the inadequate use of these patches might result in serious adverse reactions, such as breathing difficulties and even death. FDA had to launch this investigation some two years back when over hundred deaths were reported because of the improper use of Duragesic pain patches.