Drug Injury Claim

Duragesic and Durogesic are the trade names of fenatnyl transdermal system and are used for moderate to severe pain relief. Duragesic/Durogesic release fentanyl, a potent narcotic drug, slowly through the skin.

A single patch may provide up to 72 hours of pain relief. Duragesic patches have therefore been prescribed with other opioid drugs (such as morphine sulfate) to handle breakthrough – severe -- pain.

Because the nature of this drug is directly applied to the skin, only measured amounts of the powerful narcotic agent are supposed to absorb into the skin.  Unfortunately, however, the pain patch can break or be defective, in which an overdose the drug is absorbed, causing wrongful death.

Pain Patch Information

Duragesic is manufactured by ALZA Corporation and marketed by  Janssen Pharmaceutica (both subsidiaries of  Johnson ). During the period of June 2002 through June 2003, Duragesic sales totaled more than $1 Billion gross sales. Pain clinic physicians who prescribe Duragesic may also prescribe Delsym Cough Syrup (over the counter) as it is known to help opioids work better and help with withdrawal symptoms felt during patch change over time.

Since Duragesic and Durogesic are highly potent, there are many black box warnings in Duragesic's prescribing information.

Additionally, due to the risk of serious adverse drug reactions, it is highly important that the patches be applied correctly and as prescribed.  In July of 2005, the FDA issued a Public Health Advisory, which advised that "deaths and overdoses have occurred in patients using both the brand name product Duragesic and the generic product."

In December of 2007, as part of this continuing investigation, the FDA issued a second Public Health Advisory  stating, "The FDA has continued to receive reports of deaths and life-threatening side effects after doctors have inappropriately prescribed the patch or after people incorrectly used it."

In February 2004, a leading fentanyl supplier, Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, L.P. recalled one lot of fentanyl (brand name: Duragesic) patches because of seal breaches which may allow the drug to leak from the patch.  The recall notice warned that "exposure to the Duragesic hydrogel contents could result in an increased absorption of the opioid component, fentanyl, leading to increased drug effect, including nausea, sedation, drowsiness, or potentially life threatening complications." Janssen also later recalled additional lots; a series of Class II Recalls were then initiated in March 2004 due to a potentially life-threatening manufacturing defect.

The 25 mcg/hr Duragesic patches manufactured by ALZA Corporation were also recalled in February 2008  due to a concern that small cuts in the gel reservoir could result in accidental exposure of patients or health care providers to the fentanyl gel.  Overexposure in patients, or even slight exposure in non-opioid tolerant people, could possibly result in a fatal overdose.

These patches contain a gel form of the fentanyl drug. Unfortunately, these patches can leak the gel. This leads to a massive, unintended, immediate dose for the consumer. When the patch leaks, and the gel is absorbed by the skin, the results can be devastating, often leading to an extreme overdose causing catastrophic injury or death. The victim often drifts off to sleep never to awaken again.

There have been five recalls since 1994 (from the FDA site):

Personal injury and wrongful death cases caused by a pain patch overdose, Duragesic overdose, and fentanyl patch overdose, are very complex.  Drug companies fight claims against their product, often blaming the consumer or prescribing doctor, even in those instances where the drug itself was flawed or defective and responsible for the injury or death.

If you or your loved one has suffered a permanent, devastating, injury or death in the family caused by pain patch overdose, Duragesic overdose, or fentanyl patch overdoses, or other time-release pain patches, then please contact a dedicated personal injury attorney at our firm to seek justice on your behalf.

We may team up with, co-counsel, or jointly prosecute, your serious personal injury claim or wrongful death claim with drug liability attorney whom we know and trust. We are sensitive to your needs, share your values, and work hard for you and your family to secure justice.