The Duragesic patch and other generic fentanyl pain patches are still killing people, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) warned today. The Duragesic pain patch, marketed by Johnson & Johnson, and other generic pain patches, emit the powerful narcotic painkiller fentanyl. These transdermal pain patches were approved to treat pain in people who use narcotics, such as cancer patients. Today’s FDA notice is the second time since 2005 that the agency has warned of fatal consequences linked to fentanyl painkilling patch misuse.
The Duragesic and other similar pain patches are meant to treat persistent, moderate to severe chronic pain in opioid-tolerant patients 2 years of age or older. Fentanyl is a highly addictive opiate that is 80 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is considered a Class II substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration, meaning it is associated with a high potential for abuse and a risk for fatal overdose. The Duragesic and similar patches use so-called “transdermal” technology developed by California-based Alza Corporation.