Johnson & Johnson and Novartis recently announced a recall of Duragesic transdermal pain patches after discovering that certain manufacturing defects could cause the patches to leak potentially fatal doses of fentanyl, the main painkiller in the Duragesic patches.

This is certainly not the first Duragesic recall; in fact, the last recall was issued in July 2005 after 120 patch users died. Fentanyl is a dangerous drug, and an overdose can lead to death by respiratory and/or cardiac arrest.

Symptoms of a Duragesic Overdose

---

An overdose of fentanyl can result in some of the following symptoms:

• labored and slow breathing
• seizures
• dizziness
• weakness
• unconsciousness or coma
• fatigue
• cold, clammy skin
• confusion
• tiny pupils

In addition, continued exposure to unregulated quantities of the drug, which is an opioid, can lead to dependency problems and addiction. Fentanyl can remain in a Duragesic patch user's system for up to 72 hours.

Other Side Effects of Duragesic

---

The long-term side effects of Duragesic patches (specifically of fentanyl) have yet to be determined, but because of fentanyl's classification as an opioid, users can experience side effects of withdrawal symptoms and potential damage to the cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

In case of an accidental overdose, call a poison control center and local emergency services immediately.

Because the safety of Duragesic patch users is in question, it's important to investigate the details of this recall very carefully. If you have suffered from a Duragesic overdose, you may be eligible for damages or remedies that could be awarded from a class action lawsuit. Check with an attorney to see if you qualify.