Duragesic Pain Patches - Fentanyl Pain Patches - Accidental Overdose Of Fentanyl

Duragesic pain patches continue to be in news for one reason or another. There have been several recalls due to a design flaw that leads to fentanyl leakage. Many people have died because they used it improperly.

Duragesic Pain Patches- Still A Cause For Concern

Duragesic pain patches have become a cause of concern due to an increasing number of people dying because of accidental overdose of fentanyl. The most recent recall of these patches was in February 2008. The patches were recalled after it was found that some of them had a cut along one side of the reservoir. This cut could allow the fentanyl gel to leak and this posed a serious health hazard for the user.

Duragesic pain patches are also referred to as Fentanyl pain patches. These patches are very effective in relieving chronic pain. They are mostly used by cancer patients. According to Robert J. Meyer, M.D, Director of the Office of Drug Evaluation II, patients who have developed some degree of tolerance to the opiate analgesic effects respond best to these patches.

It is not just the design flaw that is continuously causing the problem with these patches. FDA has noted that many deaths have occurred because some patients were not using the Duragesic pain patches as advised. Cases of people abusing the fentanyl drug have also come in the picture. That is why in 2005, FDA issued a public health advisory on the fentanyl patches. According to this advisory:

• Patches should only be used for moderate to chronic pain that lasts for a few weeks or longer.
• Doctors should prescribe these patches to patients who have already been taking opiate analgesics for some time.
• Only one patch should be applied at one time.

Patients should always follow the doctor’s advice as to how to use the Duragesic pain patches. Moreover, doctors should take care to educate their patients about the proper use of these patches. FDA should work with the companies manufacturing these patches to resolve the design flaw; otherwise these patches should be completely taken off the market.