What are the symptoms and side effects of a Duragesic overdose?
Johnson & Johnson and Novartis
recently announced a recall of Duragesic transdermal pain patches after
discovering that certain manufacturing defects could cause a
fentanyl overdose
when the patches leak and release potentially fatal doses of fentanyl, the
main painkiller in the Duragesic patches.
This is not the first time a
J&J patch has been at the center of litigation (such as, Ortho
Evra).
It is also 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 is 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
Duragesic Class Action or Duragesic Pain
Patch Lawsuit.
Check with an attorney to see if you qualify.
