Sandoz Fentanyl Patch Recall
June 26, 2009 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects
If you or a member of your family have utilized the Sandoz fentanyl patch you need to be aware that there has been a recall of this product. Through this article you are provided a general overview of the circumstances and facts surrounding the Sandoz fentanyl patch recall. Armed with this information, you will be in the best possible position to understand your rights and what remedies are available to you incident to the Sandoz fentanyl patch recall.
The Sandoz fentanyl patch recall was issued as the result of a defect discovered in the product. The Sandoz fentanyl is intended to deliver pain medication through a patch on a consistent basis over a period of about 72 hours. The idea behind the patch is a person will be able to obtain a consistent flow of the pain medication – fentanyl – to provide a patient with an appropriate level of pain relief.
When it comes to the Sandoz fentanyl patch recall the underlying problem is a cut that might be found along one side of the drug gel reservoir on the patch itself. The defect might not be immediately visible to a person using the batch.
The reason the Sandoz fentanyl patch recall was undertaken was because both patients and health care workers appeared to be exposed to the fentanyl unwittingly because of the defect. Evidence suggests that this defect has caused both patients and health care workers to face overdose toxicity as the result of this defect.
Beyond the prospect of fentanyl overdose as a result of this defect, the Sandoz fentanyl patch recall also highlights another problem. If this defect exists on a particular patch, the patient using the patch may end up actually not getting enough pain medication from the patch. Because the patch is damaged it will not function appropriately, not provide the relief that is intended by the product in the first instance.
You also do need to keep in mind that there is evidence to suggest that the defect or defects identified in the Sandoz fentanyl patch have also resulted in the deaths individuals inappropriately exposed to the fentanyl gel.
Of course, if you have not appropriately responded to the Sandoz fentanyl patch recall you need to do so immediately. Obviously, you also need to make sure that you have obtained appropriate medical attention if you are suffering from any of the side effects associated with the defects and problems identified in the Sandoz fentanyl patch recall.
In addition, if you have suffered injuries as a result of the defect in the product, the defect that gave rise to the Sandoz fentanyl patch recall, you may want to consider obtaining legal representation. The fact is that a growing number of people are seeking out the professional assistance of qualified and experienced lawyers to assist in obtaining the compensation that they are entitled as the result of injuries sustained as the result of a defect in the Sandoz fentanyl patch.
Get The Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!
Duragesic Patch Recall: What You Must Know
June 24, 2009 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects
If you or a member of your family has been prescribed the Duragesic patch at some juncture in the past several years it is important that you have basic information about the Duragesic patch recall. In point of fact rather than a solitary Duragesic patch recall there actually has been a series of recalls extended over approximately a four year period of time.
Even though there have been several individual recalls associated with the Duragesic patch, for the purposes of this article reference will be made more generally to a Duragesic patch recall. Moreover, the underlying causes for the separate waves of recalls really stem from similar defects associated with the Duragesic patch.
The primary reason for the Duragesic patch recall centered on what might be best described as a design defect associated with the product. Specifically, after innumerable doses of the product were administered to tens of thousands of patients – and after numerous individuals suffered serious side effects associated with the Duragesic patch (including life threatening and life ending side effects) the manufacturers of this pain relief delivery system admitted that there existed a problem with the design of the patch on two levels.
First, a problem underlying the Duragesic patch recall involved a breach of the seal in the patch that resulted in too much of the pain medication flowing into a patient’s system at a rapid rate. These patients suffered serious side effects; a growing number of patient deaths have been attributed to this very serious defect.
Second, it also became clear that the gel reservoir associated with the Duragesic patch easily could be damaged in such a way that a health care provider might not detect the problem. As a result of the damage, the powerful pain killing medication actually could be absorbed in a significant amount by the health care provider. As a consequence, a notable number of health care providers ended up experiencing life threatening side effects due to their exposure to the pain killing medication as a result of the defect discussed presently.
Some have begun to argue that the manufacturers were very slow to issue a Duragesic patch recall. The argument is being made (and appears to be well supported by the facts and the history of the product) that a significant number of individuals suffered serious side effects and even death because the eventual Duragesic patch recall was not undertaken in a prudently timely manner.
With this information in hand, if you or a loved one have experienced one or another of the health problems associated with the use of the Duragesic patch (or if you have had a family member die as the result of using the Duragesic patch) you need to obtain more information about the Duragesic patch recall and you need to consult with a qualified and experienced attorney to ensure that your rights (or those of your loved one) fully are protected. You will be joining an ever increasing stream of people who are entitled to redress as a result of the harm and injuries they have experienced as a result of the inherent defects of the Duragesic patch.
Get The Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!
Fentantyl Duragesic Patch Recall
June 16, 2009 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects
If you are like a considerable number of people who have been prescribed the fentanyl patch in the past, you are going to want to consider the information contained in this article. Through this article you are provided basic information pertaining to the fentanyl patch recall. Armed with this information you will be in the best position to know what legal steps you can take should you have suffered from any of the side effects that have been demonstrated to be fairly commonplace with people who have used the fentanyl patch.
When it comes to the fentanyl patch recall more generally you need to understand that there essentially are three different types of defects that have been identified thus far in regard to these types of patches. There may end up being additional types of defects. The reality is that problems and defects that have lead to the fentanyl patch recall very well may appear to be only the beginning of a wide set of problems and defects.
In consider the fentanyl patch recall, the first type of defect that you need to be familiar with is one involving defects associated with the seal of the patch. In regard to this defect, the seal does not remain in place causing the fentanyl to leak from the patch. Because the fentanyl leaks from the patch in an unregulated manner the patient wearing the patch can overdose. The side effects of such an overdose can be very significant and even fatal.
In further looking at the fentanyl patch recall, the second defect that has been identified is one in which the patch itself folds improperly. As a result of the improper folding the fentanyl gel contained within the pad can ooze or leak out in an uncontrolled fashion. If this occurs, a patient can overdose from the pain medication. Again, this type of overdose can result in very serious complications. In point of fact evidence suggests that people have died as the result of overdoses caused by this particular fentanyl patch defect.
Another reason why the fentanyl patch recall has occurred is the result of a weakness in the patch itself. The patch patch can become damaged – without the patient or a health care worker even knowing of the problem. What can occur in such a situation, which has added fuel to the overall fentanyl patch recall, is that a health care worker can end up being exposed to the fentanyl gel. This can happen in an uncontrolled manner. In such a situation the health care worker his or her self can end up being exposed to the fentanyl unknowingly and in such a concentration that the individual ends up overdosing on the medication.
If you have been exposed to a fentanyl overdose for one or another of the reasons set forth in this article, if you have used a patch that has been part of a fentanyl patch recall, you not only needed to seek medical attention you will want to obtain legal advice as well. You will want to schedule a consultation with an attorney that is familiar with the ins and outs of the fentanyl patch recall.
Injured? Get The Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!
Actavis Fentanyl Patch Recall
June 10, 2009 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects
The Actavis fentanyl patch was designed as a means of delivering pain medication in a controlled flow. The concept behind the patch was to be able to provide an even flow of pain medication into a person’s system over approximately a 72 hour period of time. Unfortunately, in the end, the patch in question ended up not performing as planned. Therefore, the Actavis fentanyl patch recall went into effect.
In reality, when you are taking a look at the Actavis fentanyl patch recall you really are taking a look at two separate recalls. In any event, the first Actavis fentanyl patch recall took place very early in 2008. In mid-February of that year, the manufacturer initiated the initial Actavis fentanyl patch recall.
The initial Actavis fentanyl patch recall was undertaken in regard to 14 lots of the product. The voluntary recall by the manufacturer took place because it became apparent that there was what was called a possible fold over defect evident in the product. The fold over defect was determined to be potentially able to cause a leakage of the fentanyl gel itself.
If the fentanyl gel were to leak in this manner, a person using the patch could end up suffering an overdose. Such an overdose could end up having life threatening consequences. Indeed, at this time it appears that there is a notable number of individuals who have been affected adversely by this defet in the product.
This initial Actavis fentanyl patch recall was followed up by a second and more complete recall about one month later. Indeed, the second Actavis fentanyl patch recall was for all other patches that were on the market at the time. The recall went out to all wholesalers and pharmacies. Actavis, in making the announcement of the second, more comprehensive recall, said that it was taking this step out of a desire to be overly cautious. With that said, there has been some evidence to suggest that all of the Actavis fentanyl patches that were on the market – even those beyond the initial 14 lots subject to the initial Actavis fentanyl patch recall – could be suffering from the same life threatening defect.
As an aside, it is important to note that the Actavis fentanyl patch recall really effected a considerable number of the generic patches that were being made available to the public. This manufacturer was one of the major producer of fentanyl patches that were made available generically.
If you were one of the many individuals who utilized fentanyl patches you will want to closely examine whether the product you used was subject to the Actavix fentanyl patch recall – recalls. If you discover that this is the case, and if you (or, as the case may be – a loved one) has suffered side effects, including a fentanyl overdose, as a result of a defective patch, you definitely will want to consult with a qualified and experienced attorney to ascertain what legal remedies and options are available to you.
Injured? Get The Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!
Fentanyl Patch Overdose Toxicity
June 7, 2009 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects
Like many people who have made use of the fentanyl patch, you may have suffered some fairly significant side effects. Indeed, you may even have had a loved one in your life who has died as the result of fentanyl patch overdose toxicity.
Through this informational article you are provided an overview of the effects of fentanyl patch overdose toxicity. Armed with this information you will have a better idea of not only the medical consequences of fentanyl patch overdose toxicity but legal remedies that are available to people who have suffered the aftereffects of fentanyl patch overdose toxicity.
Over the course of the past several years there have been a number of defects that have been identified associated with fentanyl patch overdose toxicity. One of the identified defects that has led to fentanyl patch overdose toxisity involves the seal on the patch itself coming undone or leaking. When this occurs, a patient ends up being overdosed with the fentanyl that is contained in the patch.
Another defect that has been identified to date involves the patch improperly folding. When this occurs, fentanyl can leak from the patch in an uncontrolled manner, a process that can cause a patient to overdose.
Finally, some health care workers have ended up suffering from fentanyl patch overdose toxicity In these instances yet another defect has been identified. In this regard, the gel pack within the patch ends up damaged very slightly. Indeed, the damage actually is not particularly apparent to the naked eye. When this damage occurs due to a defect in the gel pack, fenantyl can transfer into the body of the health care worker in an uncontrolled manner.
There are a number of serious consequences that can occur as the result of fentanyl patch overdose toxicity. Up front, it is important to understand that these consequences can be life threatening. In fact, there have been deaths attributed to fentanyl patch overdose toxicity.
Other of the effects associated with fentanyl patch overdose toxicity include:
- nausea
- confusion
- hallucinations
- depression
- apnea
There is an array of other side effects that have been determined to be associated with fentanyl patch overdose toxicity. Needless to say, prompt medical intervention is vital if a person believes that he or she or that a member of his or her family is experiencing fentanyl patch overdose toxicity.
If you or a member of your family have suffered from the effects of fentanyl patch overdose toxicity you will want to consider closely your legal options, the legal remedies that are available to you. In this regard there are now attorneys who are focusing on providing legal representation to individuals who have suffered injuries (or to the families of people who have died) as the result of fentanyl patch overdose toxicity. You can find a qualified attorney that can provide you an initial consultation to outline your rights and the remedies are available to you … a meeting that an attorney will schedule with you at no charge.
Get The Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!
Duragesic Fentanyl Patch Lawyers
June 5, 2009 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects
Have you or a member of your family used the Duragesic patch at some point in the past? Have you or your loved one suffered from one or another of the serious (indeed, oftentimes life threatening) side effects associated with this product? If you have answered yes to these questions, the time has come for you to give serious consideration to obtaining the professional assistance of Duragesic Fentanyl patch lawyers.
Of course, if you are like the vast majority of innocent people who have suffered ill effects through the use of the Duragesic patch you really may not know what to do nor how to find qualified Duragesic patch lawyers to provide you the legal representation that you must have in light of the injuries you have sustained. Through this article you are provided some basic and yet essential guidance about what you need to look for in seeking Duragesic patch lawyers for yourself or for a member of your family.
Experience
Because of the complexities associated with successfully pursuing a claim against one or another of the manufacturers of the Duragesic patch it is vital that you obtain legal counsel that has specific experience in representing people like you who have suffered injuries as the result of using the Duragesic patch. The fact is that there are now Duragesic patch lawyers, attorneys who have the training, track record and wherewithal to provide you the powerful representation that you must have in order to obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
The Internet can be a helpful, convenient and reliable resource through which you can identify qualified, experienced and tenacious Duragesic patch lawyers to take up your cause and your case.
Recommendations
Keep in mind that even in this high tech age word of mouth remains an important resource when you are seeking professional services, including when you are in need of Duragesic patch lawyers. For example, perhaps you have a friend or colleague that has had a need to engage Duragesic patch lawyers. Visit with them about your own situation and your interest in finding capable Duragesic patch lawyers to assist you in regard to your own case.
Get The Compensation You Deserve
Ultimately, when you have narrowed the list of Duragesic patch lawyers that you are considering hiring you will want to schedule an initial consultation. The fact is that typically Duragesic patch lawyers will charge you no fee for an initial consultation. (Indeed, typically personal injury and malpractice attorneys charge no fee unless and until they obtain a settlement or a favorable judgment in your case.)
Through an initial consultation you not only will be able to learn more about your legal rights but you will be able to sum up first hand Duragesic patch lawyers to ascertain whether or not you feel they will be able to handle your case in an effective and professional manner. On some level there really is no substitute for a face to face meeting with Duragesic patch lawyers before you make any decision on your representation.
If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!
Duragesic Fentanyl Patch Overdose Lawsuit
May 29, 2009 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects
The Duragesic patch is a pain management product that actually is capable of delivering a powerful dose of medication to a patient. Unfortunately, even as many patients were using this product it became apparent that an ever increasing number of individuals were experience overdoses of the pain killer contained in the patch – fentanyl – for one of four different reasons. These individuals ended up facing oftentimes life threatening reactions to these overdoses. Moreover, an increasing number of individuals are being identified as having been killed as the result of overdosed associated with the Duragesic patch. Consequently, a growing number of individuals are making the decision to pursue a Duragesic patch overdose lawsuit.
As mentioned a moment ago, when it comes to a Duragesic Fentanyl patch overdose lawsuit, there are four general reasons in which an individual can end up overdosing and experiencing life threatening side effects associated with the product. Of course, as time goes on it very well may become apparent that there are even more groupings of individuals who may be positioned to embark on a Duragesic patch overdose lawsuit.
First, there is what has become a very apparent design defect associated with the Duragesic patch. It is this particular design defect which has led a considerable number of people to the courthouse to file a Duragesic patch overdose lawsuit. Specifically, it has been discovered that the seal on the Duragesic, the seal that is designed to control the flow of the powerful pain medication in the patch, can be found to leak causing an overdosing of a patient.
Second, there is another group of patients who have been forced to pursue a Duragesic patch overdose lawsuit because the instructions associated with the proper use of the patch were deemed unclear. As a consequence, these individuals ended up suffering injury (and in some cases death) as a result of overdoses that occurred as the result of unclear or even improper directions associated with the use of the patch.
Third, another group of individuals have had to pursue a Duragesic Fentanyl patch overdose lawsuit because they improperly were prescribed the patch in the first instance. This has occurred both through the negligence of health care providers combined with unclear patient parameters developed by the manufacturer of the patch.
Finally, health care providers themselves have also found themselves overdosed as the result of coming into contact with the Duragesic patch through the normal course of their work. Yet another apparent design defect associated with the Duragesic patch results in the gel pouch associated with the product itself to be easily damaged – damaged in a manner that might not be reasonably observed by a health care worker. In such a situation, the powerful medication flows from the ruptured patch into that health care worker’s system causing an overdose. This represents yet another group of individuals who have been injured as a result of their contact with the Duragesic patch, a group of individuals who also have found it necessary to pursue a Duragesic patch overdose lawsuit to protect their rights and interests.
Get The Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!
Duragesic Fentanyl Patch Side Effects
May 24, 2009 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects
When it was first introduced onto the market, Duragesic patches were heralded as having the potential of being a significant step towards more thorough and comprehensive pain management. The idea was that through the use of the Duragesic patch a person would be able to receive an appropriate amount of a very effective pain killer readily and accurately delivered into a person’s system. The Duragesic patch was also considered to be a convenient pain delivery system because a person could use a single patch for about 72 hours. Unfortunately, it eventually became clear that there were some very significant Duragesic Fentanyl patch side effects.
Through this article you are provided an overview of the most significant Duragesic Fentanyl side effects. If you or a member of your family have experienced one or another of these ill effects associated with the use of a Duragesic patch, it is crucial that you seek both medial and legal assistance. The fact is that Duragesic patch side effects and problems are becoming more widespread all of the time. In other words, a growing number of people are reporting that they have experienced significant Duragesic side effects. (Sadly, an increasing number of deaths are also being attributed to the use of the Duragesic patch.)
At the outset it is important to note that a significant percentage of individuals who have utilized this pain relief product ended up suffering from Duragesic patch side effects because of what can best be described as a malfunction associated with the patch itself. Specifically, there have been seal breaches associated with the patch.
When a seal breach occurs, the pain medication contained in the patch – which is an opioid – ends up flowing into a person’s system at a rate well above the prescribed amount. This overflow of the pain medication can result in very serious and even life threatening Duragesic patch side effects.
In addition there is a significant number of patients who have been inappropriately prescribed the Duragesic patch. These individuals also end up afflicted with what are proving to be life threatening Duragesic patch side effects. (As an aside, there are also some patients who have not properly used the Duragesic patch. In some instances this has occurred because the patients have not properly been advised of how to appropriately use the product.)
Typically, the common Duragesic patch side effects include:
- drowsiness
- nausea
- sedation
- life threatening complications
- overdoses causing death
When it entered onto the market the Duragesic patch was used widely. For example, from mid-2002 to mid-2003, the Duragesic patch accounted for over $1 billion in sales. Therefore, many individuals (of a wide age range and from all walks of life) were exposed to the Duragesic patch. By 2005 it became very apparent that a significant percentage of these individuals were experiencing unacceptable Duragesic patch side effects. It was at this juncture that the FDA or Food and Drug Administration in the United States issued this advisory:
“Deaths and overdoses have occurred in patients using both the brand name product Duragesic and the generic product.”
Between that juncture in time through 2008 a series of different recalls were initiated in regard to the product as a result of the very serious and ever growing list of Duragesic patch side effects.
Get The Compensation You Deserve
If you or someone you love has been injured, please contact the McEwen Law Firm today for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to serious monetary compensation to cover lost wages, medical expenses and more. Call us toll free today at (800) 732-3070 and talk direct with an attorney that can assist you in recovering your losses. We work on a contingency basis which means you never pay a dime – unless we win your case and recover compensation for you!
Duragesic Fentanyl Pain Patch Lawsuit
September 5, 2008 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects, Medical Alerts
Duragesic 25-micro-gram-per-hour patches have recently been recalled due to a manufacturer’s defect. These Duragesic pain patches have a slit down one side allowing too much of the active ingredient, fentanyl, to leak out.
Fentanyl is a powerful opiate and is 80 times stronger than Morphine. Fentanyl is highly addictive and deadly when absorbed in large doses.
Over absorption of fentanyl results in serious side effects and death in patients. It can also result in fentanyl withdrawal which is extremely uncomfortable for the patient.
If you or a loved one have been negatively affected by fentanyl pain patches or Duragesic pain patches contact McEwen Law Firm today. Our attorneys are dedicated to providing you with the support, knowledge, and legal advice necessary to win your case.
To contact a McEwen Fentanyl attorney today please call (800)732-3070 or fill out our online contact form.
Fentanyl Withdrawal After Duragesic Recall
August 29, 2008 by Herman Dorthchild
Filed under Fentanyl Side Effects, Medical Alerts
Duragesic Pain Patches in 25 micro-gram-per-hour doses were recently recalled due to a possible slit down one side that allows fentanyl, the patches active ingredient, to leak out.
Fentanyl is an opiate which is 80 times stronger than the widely known drug Morphine. The absorption or ingestion of too much fentanyl can cause a fentanyl overdose, but it can also cause patients to become addicted to the drug.
Due to the strong nature of fentanyl, patients may become addicted to Duragesic patches. Even patients who use the patches correctly may experience some signs of withdrawal.
Signs of Duragesic withdrawal include:
• Anxiety
• Rapid heartbeat
• Runny nose, sneezing, etc.
• Body aches and/or chills
• Sweating
• Yawning
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Irritability, nervousness, etc.
• Shivering/trembling
• Insomnia
• Weakness
• Stomach cramps
If you or a loved one experience any of these symptoms or a sudden change in these symptoms contact a medical professional immediately.
If you have experienced fentanyl withdrawal or other serious side effects as a result of using recalled Duragesic patches contact McEwen Law Firm today.
Our attorneys offer free, no obligation, consultations to help you recieve the compensation you deserve. To contact our attorneys today call (800)732-3070 or fill out our online contact form.


