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Practice Areas
When you are injured it’s a stressful time, especially when the injuries are the result of another person’s negligence or actions. At Hughes and Coleman, our job is to help those who have been injured in Kentucky or Tennessee.
With more than a million people residing in the two states, residents of Kentucky and Tennessee are exposed to a multitude of potential accidents. Freeways, highways, and city streets pose a daily threat to residents. As the traffic grows so do the number of motor vehicle accidents.
The following is a list of practice areas in which the attorneys at Hughes and Coleman are experienced and proven. Click on an area to discover a wealth of information on each topic. If you have been affected by any of the following, contact Hughes and Coleman Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
Fentanyl Pain Patch
The Duragesic patch is a transdermal delivery system for the pain medication fentanyl, a very strong opioid, that enters into the bloodstream and lasts up to 72 hours. The thin, adhesive patch is placed on the skin and it is used to manage constant moderate to severe chronic pain that needs treating 24 hours a day.
On February 12, 2008 the Duragesic pain patch manufactured by Alza Corp, a division of Johnson & Johnson were recalled because of a series flaw in the manufacturing that could lead to patient overdose. The Duragesic Patch uses form filled seal technology where the fentanyl laden gel is sealed between a permeable release liner and a impermeable backing. The patches are available in releases of 12, 25, 50, 75 and 100 micrograms per hour.
There have been a number of voluntary product recalls, and many safety warnings associated with this product.
Adverse Fentanyl Pain Patch® Side Effects
There are a number of side effects associated with the Duragesic Patch® including:
| • Addiction | • Sweating | • Confusion | • Constipation | • Drop in blood pressure | • Dry mouth |
| • Nausea | • Sleepiness | • Vomiting | • Weakness | • Physical dependence | • Trouble breathing |
Seek emergency medical help if you:
• Develop hives • Have difficulty breathing • Have swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat
If you have any of the following you should stop using the Duragesic patches and see your doctor as soon as possible:
• Cold, clammy skin • Pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding • Severe weakness, feeling light-headed or fainting
• Weak, shallow breathing
Fentanyl Pain Patch® and the FDA
Duragesic patches manufacturers have received many safety warnings and have also been voluntarily recalled several times, including a March 2004 Duragesic recall of some batches of the 75 microgram patch.
In July 2005, an FDA alert was distributed after 120 patients taking the drug died. In 2007 the FDA issued a safety warning over the patches, saying improper use could cause breathing difficulties and death. Then in February 2008, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled all 25-microgram-per-hour patches that were sold in the U.S. by the company's PriCara unit and Sandoz. It estimated that in all, about 32 million patches will be recalled.
Our Drug Injury Lawyers Can Help
If you or someone you know has been affected by a drug injury, Hughes & Coleman wants to help. We help people nationwide get the compensation they deserve. Contact us today.
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