Duragesic pain patches getting recall

WASHINGTON Ortho-McNeil-Janssen, a unit of drug and consumer giant Johnson & Johnson on Tuesday said it was recalling certain strengths of its Duragesic pain patches, which have the potential to expose patients to a dangerous gel inside.

All lots of Ortho-McNeil’s 25 microgram-per-hour strength patch of Duragesic are being recalled, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration.

The recalled patches may have an opening which could result in release of the gel—made of the drug fentanyl—inside, Reuters reported. Exposure to fentanyl directly can cause serious harm, including breathing problems and overdose, which can be fatal, the company said.

All the recalled patches have an expiration date on or before December 2009.