Fentanyl Lawsuit Attorney

San Antonio Fentanyl Attorney Michael Grossman on Fentanyl Pain Patch Recalls

Fentanyl is a powerful pain medicine, with 100 times the strength of morphine, that’s often given to fight chronic breakthrough pain in cancer patients. Fentanyl is also provided in surgery and ICUs as anasthesia and analgesia, typically along with benzodiazepine as a legitimate painkiller.

While fentanyl can be taken via a transdermal patch, lozenge, nose spray or inhaler, its most popular use is by a Fentanyl pain patch where the drug is absorbed through the skin and transmitted through the blood stream over a span of 48 to 72 hours.

The bad part is that this potent drug that’s supposed to provide relief for thousands of its users around the country can also cause deaths if taken wrongly, by those who don’t need it, or if a Fentanyl patch leaks. In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has had countless reports filed relating to Fentanyl deaths from Fentanyl gel oozing from the patch, resulting in patients getting far more of the drug than their bodies can take. Several Fentanyl lawsuits have been filed against different manufacturers for their part in Fentanyl deaths. As a result, makers of Fentanyl have issued several rounds of recalls for the drug because of similar defects discovered in Fentanyl transdermal patches.

Fentanyl Duragesic Recalls

• Janssen Pharmaceuticals delivered the first Fentanyl recall in 2004 because of potential leaks in one lot. The company issued more recalls later for the same problem, called “fold-over defects.” Other defects were later noticed by the FDA called “stringer leaker” defects.
• Alza Corporation recalled nearly 32 million Duragesic patches in February, 2008, because of the fact that tiny cuts in the gel packets could result in leakage and eventual Fentanyl overexposure to patients. Even tiny amounts of exposure to the drug could result in death for people that are intolerant to opioids.
• Shortly after the Alza recall, Actavis Inc. recalled exactly 14 lots of Fentanyl transdermal patches.
• In late 2008, PriCara, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, recalled Duragesic pain patches because of leakage issues that could cause Fentanyl overdoses.
• In February 2011, Alza Corp. stopped manufacturing Duragesic patches for a brief time because of alleged quality control issues. Since that point, production and distribution has continued.

Fentanyl Brand Names and Alternative Delivery Systems

There are other names Fentanyl is known by and sold under:

• Durogesic or Duragesic (Alza Corp.), a branch of Johnson & Johnson. The company Sandoz, Mylan, Watson and Actavis also makes generic versions of Duragesic
• Actiq, a Fentanyl lollipop developed by Cephalon, Inc.
• Sublimaze, developed by Janssen Pharmaceutical
• Fentora, which is made by Cephalon, Inc.
• Onsolis, a Fentanyl adhesive taken in the inner-cheek, which is made by Aveva Drug Delivery Systems.
• Instanyl, a Fentanyl nasal spray made by Nycomed
• Abstral, sublingual Fentanyl tablets made by ProStrakan, Inc.

Fentanyl patches are available in five different dosage levels: 12.5 mcg/hr, then 25, 50, 75 and 100. Patches transmit Fentanyl non-stop for a three-day period.

Fentanyl Side Effects

Some of Fentanyl’s side effects range from such issues as abdominal pain, anxiety, confusion, constipation, difficulty walking, dizziness, drowsiness and dry mouth to headaches, indigestion, itching, nausea, vomiting and weight loss.

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

Actiq Lollipops

Along with the concerns mentioned above when it comes to Duragesic patches, the active ingredient in Actiq lollipops, Fentanyl, has also created issues for these candy-flavored items to be trouble when it comes to how they’re prescribed and how this specific painkiller is used. While it can help pain sufferers in getting temporary pain relief, these Fentanyl lollipops have been prescribed to individuals who aren’t experiencing any kind of major pain. As a result, the abuse of Actiq lollipops has led to injury and harm to people who should have never had the drug to begin with. Besides that, Cephalon, Inc., has been questioned about the way in which it markets the drug, supposedly recommending it for common problems like headaches or chronic back pain. Actiq lollipops are meant to help those enduring unbearable pain due to cancer; however, that amount is just a small percentage of those who truly use Actiq. Those who experience severe consequences from using Actiq because of a doctor’s wrong recommendation could have the option of filing a medical malpractice lawsuit in Texas.

San Antonio Drug Injury Lawyer Michael Grossman Can Help If You or a Loved One Has Suffered as a Result of a Defective Fentanyl Pain Patch

It’s ironic that a drug made to help people cope with pain can cause tons of pain or loss. Because of its potency, it makes for great pain management for those enduring pain that no one else could fathom. Unfortunately, that same medicine strength can also lead to serious injury or death if taken in an improper way or by someone that doesn’t need a painkiller this intense. If you have suffered additional pain because of a bad Fentanyl patch or a non-working Duragesic pain patch, call Fentanyl lawyer Michael Grossman to discover what your legal options are. You may have a credible case and can pursue a Texas medical malpractice lawsuit which could help you with medical expenses, lost income and other financial burdens. Along with that, a personal injury lawsuit can also hold drug makers accountable for their inability to make a safe delivery system for such a powerful drug.

If you’ve lost a loved one because of a defective Fentanyl patch leak, call our San Antonio fentanyl attorneys. With 20 years of qualified experience in Texas wrongful death cases, we have a good feeling we can help you and your family achieve justice, even when facing huge businesses. They may be focused, prepared and ready to fight you until the last bell because of the money at stake, we will face off with their most savvy attorneys using credible evidence, expert medical testimony, and a solid argument made on behalf of that family member who died. Those who’ve been hit with overwhelming pain shouldn’t have to handle any more pain or loss because of a drug that’s supposed to help its users escape suffering. With us in your corner, we can team up and make sure you’re helped with your losses and getting every responsible party gathered so that just can be obtained for their actions. Call the Fentanyl accident law firm of Grossman Law Offices today.