More Fentanyl Patches Recalled

[Guest guest]

I remember reading here that one or two people have either used or

are using these and saw this on my local news website. Just thought

I would post as an FYI if there is anyone using these or has any in

your home. Never can be too safe.

Christi

More Fentanyl Patches Recalled

Last Edited: Tuesday, 19 Feb 2008, 5:05 PM CST

Created: Tuesday, 19 Feb 2008, 5:05 PM CST

Health Insurance / AP By NATASHA T. METZLER

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON -- Patches containing the prescription painkiller

fentanyl were recalled for the second time in a week Monday, because

of a flaw that could cause patients or caregivers to overdose on the

potent drug inside.

Sold in the United States by Actavis South Atlantic LLC, the newly

recalled patches have both this name and the company's former name,

Abrika Pharmaceuticals Inc., on their packaging. The old name is on

the pouches that contain the patches and the new name is on the outer

carton.

Last Tuesday PriCara, a division of & , announced a

recall of fentanyl patches manufactured by its affiliate ALZA Corp.

Monday's recall includes 25-microgram-per-hour, 50-microgram-per-

hour, 75 microgram-per-hour and 100 microgram-per-hour patches with

expiration dates of May through August 2009.

Some of the patches may have a defect that can cause them to leak,

putting patients and caregivers at risk of coming into direct contact

with the powerful " opioid " drug inside. This could result in

difficulty breathing and a potentially fatal overdose.

The company has not received any reports of injuries related to this

defect.

Damaged patches should be flushed down the toilet and not handled.

Skin that has been exposed to the gel should be thoroughly rinsed

with water, but not washed with soap.

The recalled patches were manufactured for Actavis Inc. by Corium

International Inc. Activis Inc. is a division of Actavis Group hf.

[Guest guest]

There are two types of patches- th type that are in a bubble are the

kind that can leak- they shouldn't be flushed (they do not dissolve); if

you return them to the pharmacy, if they have actually been recalled,

they will be replaced. Fentanyl is a strong medicine, a controlled rug,

and should be handled carefully.

There is also a fentanyl patch that doesnt have a bubble of medicine in

it- it looks like a flat piece of tape, albeit bigger. NBot only are

they not going to leak, but they provide a better drug transit giving a

more consistent dose, and are less likely to cause skin lesions.

B