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December 21, 2007

On December 21, 2007, the FDA released a public health advisory containing important information for the safe use of the fentanyl patch (DURAGESIC). This new advisory builds on one released in 2005.

Check out WorstPills.org's information on the fentanyl patch:

• 2005 article on the fentanyl patch (free for a limited time)
• Fentanyl patch drug profile (subscribers only)

FDA advisory:

FDA Public Health Advisory
Important Information for the Safe Use of Fentanyl Transdermal System (Patch)

FDA is issuing this public health advisory to alert patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals to important information on the safe use of the fentanyl transdermal system, also known as the fentanyl patch (marketed as Duragesic and generics).  The fentanyl patch is a narcotic (opioid) pain medicine applied to the skin for treating persistent moderate to severe pain in opioid-tolerant patients who need to be on a narcotic pain medicine around-the-clock for more than a few days. 

Despite issuing an advisory in July 2005 that emphasized the safe use of the fentanyl  patch, FDA continues to receive reports of death and life-threatening side effects in patients who use the fentanyl patch.  The reports indicate that doctors have inappropriately prescribed the fentanyl patch to patients for acute pain following surgery, for headaches, occasional or mild pain, and other indications for which a fentanyl patch should not be prescribed.  In addition, the reports indicate that patients are continuing to incorrectly use the fentanyl patch by replacing the patch more frequently than directed in the fentanyl patch instructions, applying more patches than prescribed, or applying a heat source to the patch, all resulting in dangerously high fentanyl levels in the blood.

The fentanyl patch contains fentanyl, a very potent narcotic pain medicine.  It is only intended for treating persistent, moderate to severe pain in patients who are opioid-tolerant, meaning those patients who take a regular, daily, around-the-clock narcotic pain medicine.  This is extremely important because patients who are opioid-tolerant are more resistant to the dangerous side effects of narcotic pain medicines than patients who only occasionally take these medicines.  For patients who are not opioid-tolerant, the amount of fentanyl in one fentanyl patch of the lowest strength is large enough to cause dangerous side effects, such as respiratory depression (severe trouble breathing or very slow or shallow breathing) and death.

FDA is highlighting the following important safety information on the fentanyl skin patch:

• The fentanyl patch should only be used by patients who are opioid-tolerant and have chronic pain that is not well controlled with other pain medicines.  They are not to be used to treat sudden, occasional, or mild pain or pain after surgery. 
   
• Healthcare professionals who prescribe and patients who use the fentanyl patch should be aware of the signs of fentanyl overdose including the following:   trouble breathing or slow or shallow breathing; slow heartbeat; severe sleepiness; cold, clammy skin; trouble walking or talking; or feeling faint, dizzy, or confused.  If these signs occur, patients or their caregivers should get medical attention right away.
   
• Patients prescribed the fentanyl patch should tell their doctor about all the medicines that they take.  Some medicines may interact with fentanyl causing dangerously high fentanyl blood levels and serious, life-threatening breathing problems.
   
• Patients and their caregivers should be told how to use the fentanyl patch.  This important information, including instructions on how often to apply the patch, reapplying a patch that has fallen off, replacing a patch, and disposing of the patch, is provided in the patient information that comes with the fentanyl patch .
   
• Heat may increase the amount of fentanyl that reaches the blood and can cause life-threatening breathing problems and death.
  • Patients should not use heat sources such as heating pads, electric blankets, saunas, or heated waterbeds or take hot baths or sun bathe while wearing a patch. 
  • A patient or caregiver should call the patient’s doctor right away if the patient has a fever higher than 102ºF while wearing a patch.

FDA is asking the manufacturers of all fentanyl patches to update the information for fentanyl patches and to develop a Medication Guide for patients.  FDA will provide updates as new information is available.