The Most Dangerous Consequence Of A Fentanyl Overdose Is Decreased Respirations
Fentanyl is an extremely powerful synthetic opioid. In fact, it is about 100 times stronger than morphine. Its common use is to treat severe chronic pain, sometimes known as “breakthrough pain,” for which lesser painkillers are ineffective. Doctors often prescribe fentanyl to cancer patients. However, for those who are not conditioned to narcotic pain medications, the risk of a fentanyl overdose is a serious one.
Though created in 1959, the drug became more widely used in the 1990s when the Duragesic fentanyl patch was introduced. Distributed by the pharmaceutical company PriCara, this transdermal system consists of a patch that contains the opioid in gel form inside a reservoir. It is released gradually into the patient’s skin over a period of about 72 hours.
Unfortunately, such a powerful medication carries a serious risk of overdose, which can even end in death. A number of fatalities have been tied to it in the past few years, and in fact, there have been numerous recalls—both of the Duragesic brand patches and of generic versions. The FDA has issued several public health advisories warning of the potential dangers of defective patches.
The narcotic also comes in other forms, including injections. Because it is often used for around-the-clock pain relief, fentanyl citrate is sometimes added to an intravenous fluid that drips through a needle or catheter placed in a patient’s vein.
The potential side effects vary in severity, but can include:
• Skin rash
• Itching
• Blisters
• Swelling
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• Upset Stomach
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Difficulty urinating
• Hyperventilation
However, even more serious are the following typical signs of a fentanyl overdose: • Slowed heartbeat
• Slowed breathing
• Pinpoint pupils
• Cold, clammy skin
• Fainting
• Seizures
Anyone who experiences these symptoms after using the opioid should immediately visit an emergency room or consult another health care provider.
The FDA has issued health advisories emphasizing that incorrect use of this product, such as applying more than prescribed, can result in dangerously high levels of fentanyl and a potential overdose. Patients should carefully read the full prescribing information, including all appropriate warnings. The black box warnings indicate that the medication carries a significant risk of serious or even life-threatening adverse effects.
However, many cases of these adverse effects have arisen not from incorrect use but from product defects or negligent medical advice. The FDA has reported that some health care providers are prescribing the patches for more discomfort, such as headaches. The Duragesic warnings stress that it should only be used when less potent medications have not been effective and when pain needs to be controlled around the clock.
Anyone who has suffered an injury after using the drug may want to consider consulting a drug liability or injury medical malpractice attorney. There have already been multi-million dollar verdicts for victims, including a $16.5 million jury verdict against two Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries manufacturing Duragesic patches.
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Fentanyl Pain Patch Recall Lawsuits Attorneys
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