Fentanyl

Fentanyl is the generic name for the pain medication called Duragesic, manufactured by Janssen Laboratories, owned by Johnson and Johnson Pharmaceutical Company.

It is an extraordinarily potent synthetic narcotic that is 80 times more powerful than morphine. It was first developed in Belgium during the 1950s. The Food and Drug Administration approved it for use in the United States in 1990. Since then, Fentanyl lawyers have been kept busy protecting the rights of patients and their families who have been injured or killed by this powerful medication. There have been many product liability lawsuits concerning fentanyl as well as fentanyl class action lawsuits handled by expert fentanyl lawyers.

Fentanyl is usually administered by placing a transdermal patch on the skin. The fentanyl is in a gel form and is slowly absorbed through the patient’s skin over 72 hours– bringing relief from intractable pain. Unfortunately, improper dosing or a defective patch can turn relief into an overdose.

The drug is usually used for cancer patients who are suffering from breakthrough pain. However, physicians often prescribe it for other kinds of pain.

Not too long ago, a Chicago jury awarded the family of a woman 16.5 million dollars after she died from a fentanyl overdose caused by a defective patch manufactured by the Jansenn division of Johnson and Johnson. Others, who have used a properly manufactured patch but overdosed, anyway have also started fentanyl lawsuits.

Despite warnings about the need to carefully monitor patients using the fentanyl patch from the United Stated Food and Drug Administration, fentanyl lawsuits are still being filed for patient overdoses or fatalities. Frequently fentanyl is administered with other painkillers leading to overdose. In addition, the drug may be given to patients who have not developed a tolerance for narcotics.

Symptom of fentanyl side effects including overdose or impending overdose include:

• Hypertension
• Difficulty breathing
• Tightness in the chest
• Hallucinations
• Muscle rigidity
• Seizures
• Slow or irregular heartbeat
• Slowed breathing
• Trouble breathing

Patients prescribed fentanyl should be made aware of the above signs of overdose or impending overdose and immediately contact their physician if they manifest any of these symptoms. Once the medical emergency is over, contact a fentanyl attorney to see if you are entitled to compensation. There is no charge for an initial consultation and a fee is paid only when the case is won.

If you or a family member or friend have sustained heart damage, had a heart attack or heart failure it possible to obtain financial compensation. A fentanyl attorney can advise you on the merits of your case. Many have collected financial awards for additional expenses incurred due to fentanyl use, wrongful death and punitive damages.

AttorneyOne.com is a free nationwide legal referral service. We are not a law firm. We help consumers find the best representation for their legal needs.