PriCara Recalls 25 mcg/hr Duragesic (Fentanyl Transdermal System) CII Pain Patches

PriCara, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. said today that all lots of 25 microgram/hour (mcg/hr) Duragesic (fentanyl transdermal system) CII patches sold by PriCara in the United States and all 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches sold by Sandoz Inc. in the United States are being voluntarily recalled as a precaution from wholesalers and pharmacies. The recalled patches all have expiration dates on or before December 2009, and all are manufactured by ALZA Corporation, an affiliate of PriCara. The recall is being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. All 25 mcg/hr fentanyl patches manufactured by ALZA and sold in Canada also are being recalled.

Fentanyl Gel Leaks

Duragesic 25 mcg/hr (fentanyl transdermal system) and Sandoz Inc. 25 mcg/hr fentanyl transdermal system patches being recalled may have a cut along one side of the drug reservoir within the patch. The result is possible release of fentanyl gel from the gel reservoir into the pouch in which the patch is packaged, exposing patients or caregivers directly to fentanyl gel. As per the approved product labeling for Duragesic, fentanyl is a potent Schedule II opioid medication. Fentanyl patches that are cut or damaged in any way should not be used. Exposure to fentanyl gel may lead to serious adverse events, including respiratory depression and possible overdose, which may be fatal. Anyone who comes in contact with fentanyl gel should thoroughly rinse exposed skin with large amounts of water only; do not use soap. Immediately safe-guard affected patches with cut edges by storing them in a plastic container in a safe place, using caution not to handle them directly. Keep defective fentanyl patches away from children and animals and do not dispose of them until you have spoken to an attorney or healthcare professional. Patches with a cut edge that have leaked gel will not provide effective pain relief.

Anyone who has 25 mcg/hr Duragesic or Sandoz Inc. fentanyl patches should check the box or foil pouch for the expiration date to see if they have patches that are being recalled. The recalled patches all have expiration dates on or before December 2009. The cut edge in affected patches can be seen upon opening the sealed foil pouch that holds the patch. Affected patches should not be handled directly.

Patients using fentanyl patches who have medical questions should contact their health-care providers.

Duragesic Fentanyl Patches

Duragesic patches are used to manage persistent moderate to severe chronic pain that needs to be treated around the clock and which cannot be treated by: combination narcotic, short-acting, or non-narcotic pain treatment products. It should only be used by people who are receiving or have developed a tolerance to pain therapy with opioids. Duragesic should not be used if patients have pain that will go away in a few days, such as pain from surgery, medical or dental procedures, or short-lasting conditions. Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of fentanyl patches should be reported to your health-care providers. Duragesic brand and other fentanyl patches are available by prescription only, through pharmacies, and should be used only under the supervision of a physician.

Duragesic patches sold in Europe, Latin America and Asia are not affected by this recall.

Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch Class Action Lawsuit vs. Individual Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch Lawsuit

There are distinct differences between a Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch (Also sold under brand names: Mylan Fentanyl Pain Patch, Sandoz Fentanyl Pain Patch, Janssen Fentanyl Pain Patch, Watson Fentanyl Pain Patch) class action lawsuit and a more typical individual Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuit. A Fentanyl Pain Patch class action lawsuit would be a form of Pain Patch lawsuit in which a large group of people (plaintiffs) collectively bring a lawsuit to court in the form of a “class action” against the manufacturer of the Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch (defendant).

In a class action lawsuit involving personal injury, resulting from defective Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patches, all Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch (Also sold under brand names: Mylan Fentanyl Pain Patch, Sandoz Fentanyl Pain Patch, Janssen Fentanyl Pain Patch, Watson Fentanyl Pain Patch) lawsuit plaintiffs would typically be grouped together into a single Fentanyl Pain Patch class action lawsuit, regardless of the degree or severity of their injuries. In this type of Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch class action lawsuit, plaintiffs with injuries ranging from minor ones not requiring further attention, all the way to the most severe injuries including potentially life threatening complications and even death by accidental overdose, would be grouped into one single Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch class action lawsuit. All plaintiffs in the class would share any award or settlement resulting from that Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch class action lawsuit.

In Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuits involving catastrophic injury or death, an individual lawsuit, in most cases, is more appropriate and in the plaintiff’s best interest. Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patches have been linked to severe injuries, including potentially life threatening complications and death. Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch (Mylan Fentanyl Pain Patch, Sandoz Fentanyl Pain Patch, Janssen Fentanyl Pain Patch, Watson Fentanyl Pain Patch) cases such as these are better suited to an individual Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuit because of the severity and degree of injury to the plaintiff. In an individual Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuit, each plaintiff’s case is filed, presented and considered individually, based on its own strength and degree of injury.In many cases involving Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patches, with medical care, victims may be able to lead mostly normal and productive lives.

An individual Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuit allows each Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch victim, their injuries and their future needs to be considered on an individual basis when determining damages, awards and settlement amounts, and not as part of a class action lawsuit.

Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch Lawsuit Attorney

Poorly designed medications like the Duragesic brand pain patch or any other fentanyl pain patch may cause accidental overdose or other severe and devastating injuries or death. Seek immediate medical attention if you are suffering an emergency situation resulting from the use of a Duragesic brand pain patch or any other fentanyl pain patch (Mylan Fentanyl Pain Patch, Sandoz Fentanyl Pain Patch, Janssen Fentanyl Pain Patch, Watson Fentanyl Pain Patch).

If you or someone you know has been severely injured as a result of a Duragesic brand pain patch or any other other fentanyl pain patch, talk to a Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch Lawsuit Attorney at the Willis Law Firm for legal advice about a potential Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuit.  You are not alone.  Join other Duragesic fentanyl pain patch victims and their families in fighting for their legal rights. It may be too late to recover from some of the devastating effects of the Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch, but an experienced pharmaceutical products liability attorney at the Willis Law Firm can assist you in a legal action against PriCara, a Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the makers of the Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch and in filing a Fentanyl Pain Patch Lawsuit.

Please fill out the Free Case Evaluation to the right or call us toll-free at 1-800-883-9858. Please keep in mind that certain states have a statute of limitations that limits the amount of time you have to file a Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch lawsuit or to seek legal action. Contact our law firm immediately so we may explain the rights and options available to you and your family.