By Steven Reinberg
HealthDay Reporter Friday, December 21, 2007; 3:00 PM
Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
FRIDAY, Dec. 21 (HealthDay News) -- For the second time in two years, U.S. health officials are warning of reports of deaths and dangerous side effects tied to misuse of fentanyl skin patches that are prescribed to treat chronic pain.
The patches deliver a potent pain killer containing the narcotic fentanyl. They are primarily used by cancer patients who are tolerant to the side effects of narcotic pain medications, according to U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials who issued Friday's warning.
"There are a small number of cases [of deaths and life-threatening side effects] that are very concerning, because they are preventable," Dr. Bob Rappaport, the FDA's director of the Division of Anesthesia, Analgesia and Rheumatology Products, said during a morning teleconference.
