Re: Fw: Fentanyl Patch Can Be Deadly to Children

[Guest guest]

1. I assume this is related to the DEA's recent scare-tactic figures that ~200

children/year overdose from abused prescription medication or 230 people/year

die related from prescription pain killer overdose.

2. Statistics are great tools in fear-mongers, unless used in context. In

reality, 16,500 people die each year from toxicity effects of OTC NSAID

(gastro-ulceration) - a figure that far surpasses even the exaggerated DEA data

on prescription medication abuse. If our regulatory bodies were equally zealous

at targeting real danger as they are spreading propaganda, they'd make greater

effort at banning dangerous OTC drugs. Of course the DEA, with their powers

enhanced from switching resources from criminalizing illegal substances to the

diversion of legal, legitimate medication, won't be facing reality anytime soon.

3. Duragesic patches are clearly only indicated for opiate-tolerant patients -

not opioid-naive children

4. I suppose children could become seriously ill from ingestion of household

chemicals of sufficient quantity, which are far more available than Fentanyl, an

already highly regulated Schedule II Controlled Substance.

Steve

>

>

>

> ----- Forwarded Message -----

> From: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) <fda@...>

> wooleeacre@...

> Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 11:56 AM

> Subject: Fentanyl Patch Can Be Deadly to Children

>

>

> Fentanyl Patch Can Be Deadly to Children

> Fentanyl Patch Can Be Deadly to Children

> Read the Consumer Update to learn more about how to prevent accidental

exposure to Fentanyl:

> http://go.usa.gov/yTw

> http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm300803.htm

>  

> Young children have died or become seriously ill from exposure to a skin patch

containing a powerful painkiller, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is

issuing an alertto warn patients, caregivers and health care professionals about

the dangers of improperly using and disposing of the fentanyl patch.

>  

> The fentanyl transdermal system†" the patch marketed under the brand name

Duragesic and in several generic forms†" contains fentanyl, a potent narcotic

that is intended to treat patients in constant pain by releasing the medication

over the course of three days. An overdose of fentanyl†" caused when the child

either swallows the patch or applies it to his or her own skin†" can cause death

by slowing breathing and increasing the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.

>  

>

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20993 · 800-439-1420

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>

[Guest guest]

I tend to agree with you Steve. I'm actually a little surprised that they had to

publish something like this! I'm sure most people know, but if you don't

fentanyl is roughly 70-100 times stronger than morphine and 30-50 times stronger

than oxycodone ( The narcotic used in percocet).

I can't imagine any child being prescribed fentanyl unless they had cancer or a

terminal illness.

Here is the BIG problem with fentanyl:

The patches contain a gel that is absorbed through the skin. Doctors usually

prescribe the 25mcg patches on average. The patches slowly release the medicine

over 72 hours, then you take it off and put on a new one. BUT- " children " - and I

hope we are talking teenagers here- like to poke a hole in the patch and either

ingest it orally, shoot it up, or smoke it. The problem is that there is no way

to know how much fentanyl you are ingesting, and the consequences are usually

deadly. We are talking about a 3 day supply of a VERY potent narcotic. So you

get these dumb kids ( and adults!) who want to get high and end up killing

themselves because a) they are not opioid tolerant and they've more than

likely ingested a lethal dose.

Drug companies have started changing the Way they manufacture time released pain

pills like OxyContin by making them gel if someone crushes them and tries to

snort them or add liquid so they can shoot them up. Unfortunately the fentanyl

patch is still very easy to abuse.

I think the fact that they had to publish this speaks VOLUMES about the rise in

prescription drug abuse, especially among adolescents. I take some heavy duty

pain meds (including the fentanyl patch briefly) now thanks to a horribly

botched back surgery. I have 3 boys: 17, 12 and 10. When I am home I keep them

locked in a safe. When I'm not home I carry them in my purse. I know for a fact

some of my 17 year olds older friends abuse prescription pain meds. How do I

know? One of them asked I he could buy some of mine. That's when I bought the

safe.

Sorry for the long reply! But it's a serious and very scary problem that

unfortunately is becoming very common, even with OTC medications. They all have

deadly consequences, but I would venture to guess fentanyl is the deadliest.

***Carolyn*** thanks for sharing! I think it's extremely important for parents

these days to be informed about these issues! Unfortunately Rz abuse by kids is

on the rise, and fast. If you take these kinds of meds (and you don't already

know), even on a short term basis for a broken bone or dental work or whatever,

keep them in a safe place! And know how many you have so if you come up short

you can start asking questions!

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 20, 2012, at 1:30 AM, " nailheader " <stevenakamichi@...> wrote:

> 1. I assume this is related to the DEA's recent scare-tactic figures that ~200

children/year overdose from abused prescription medication or 230 people/year

die related from prescription pain killer overdose.

>

> 2. Statistics are great tools in fear-mongers, unless used in context. In

reality, 16,500 people die each year from toxicity effects of OTC NSAID

(gastro-ulceration) - a figure that far surpasses even the exaggerated DEA data

on prescription medication abuse. If our regulatory bodies were equally zealous

at targeting real danger as they are spreading propaganda, they'd make greater

effort at banning dangerous OTC drugs. Of course the DEA, with their powers

enhanced from switching resources from criminalizing illegal substances to the

diversion of legal, legitimate medication, won't be facing reality anytime soon.

>

> 3. Duragesic patches are clearly only indicated for opiate-tolerant patients -

not opioid-naive children

>

> 4. I suppose children could become seriously ill from ingestion of household

chemicals of sufficient quantity, which are far more available than Fentanyl, an

already highly regulated Schedule II Controlled Substance.

>

> Steve

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > ----- Forwarded Message -----

> > From: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) <fda@...>

> > wooleeacre@...

> > Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2012 11:56 AM

> > Subject: Fentanyl Patch Can Be Deadly to Children

> >

> >

> > Fentanyl Patch Can Be Deadly to Children

> > Fentanyl Patch Can Be Deadly to Children

> > Read the Consumer Update to learn more about how to prevent accidental

exposure to Fentanyl:

> > http://go.usa.gov/yTw

> > http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm300803.htm

> > Â

> > Young children have died or become seriously ill from exposure to a skin

patch containing a powerful painkiller, and the Food and Drug Administration

(FDA) is issuing an alertto warn patients, caregivers and health care

professionals about the dangers of improperly using and disposing of the

fentanyl patch.

> > Â

> > The fentanyl transdermal system†" the patch marketed under the brand name

Duragesic and in several generic forms†" contains fentanyl, a potent narcotic

that is intended to treat patients in constant pain by releasing the medication

over the course of three days. An overdose of fentanyl†" caused when the

child either swallows the patch or applies it to his or her own skin†" can

cause death by slowing breathing and increasing the levels of carbon dioxide in

the blood.

> > Â

> >

> > ________________________________

> >

> > Subscriber Services:

> > Manage Preferences  |  Unsubscribe  |  Help with this

service

> > Stay Connected:

> > Â

> >

> > ________________________________

> >

> > This email was sent to wooleeacre@... using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S.

Food & Drug Administration (FDA) · 10903 New Hampshire Ave · Silver

Spring, MD 20993 · 800-439-1420

> >

> >