Used to treat moderate to severe pain, Duragesic (fentanyl transdermal system) CII is a prescription medication administered through wearing a patch, allowing the medication – fentanyl, a narcotic – to be absorbed by the body through the skin. Duragesic is an opioid pain medication, and according to an article published by the New York Times in July of 2005, had been linked to 120 deaths at the time of the article’s publication as well as serious side effects.
If you have been prescribed fentanyl by a doctor or other healthcare professional and have experienced adverse side effects, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain, suffering, or any medical maladies that have occurred as a result.
Side Effects of Fentanyl
Fentanyl is prescribed to patients who have severe pain that requires around-the-clock pain medication and whose pain cannot be controlled by other narcotics. In the majority of cases, fentanyl is prescribed to patients who have already been using narcotics to control pain levels.
However, people have been prescribed the patch without an established level of narcotic tolerance, such as those recovering from surgery.
Those who are prescribed the medication are advised to do the following.
- maintain the level of medication unless a physician prescribes differently.
- not wear more than one patch at a time.
- don’t take the medication while taking any other pain medication.
According to the FDA, side effects of fentanyl are:
- constipation.
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- tiredness.
- headache.
- dizziness.
- abdominal pain.
- itching.
- redness or rash where the patch is applied.
The FDA warns against using the patch in while taking a hot bath, sunbathing, using a hot tub or sauna, using an electric blanket, or doing any other type of activity that heats the body. An increase in body temperature while wearing the patch can lead to an overdose of fentanyl, which can subsequently lead to death.
Who is liable in a fentanyl patch lawsuit?
If you or a family member has suffered ill effects after using a fentanyl patch, a lawsuit may be an option depending on the circumstances.
Those who may be held liable during a fentanyl lawsuit include the following.
- any medical professionals who prescribed the medication.
- the hospital or clinic where the prescription took place.
- the pharmacy or pharmacist.
- the drug’s distributor or marketer.
- the drug manufacturing company.
Take Action Immediately to File a Fentanyl Lawsuit
If you have been a victim of the serious complications after taking fentanyl, like a drug overdose because levels of the narcotic were too high, or if a loved one has suffered a wrongful death because of the medication, retain legal counsel. A lawyer can guide you through the process of filing your claim and help you understand what types of compensation you may be eligible to recover.
The attorneys at Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C. are ready to take on your case in New York. For help getting your medical documents organized, knowing where to start, and pursuing your fentanyl patch lawsuit, call us today at 800-550-0000.
