Watson recalls one lot of fentanyl patches

CORONA, Calif. The maker of a generic transdermal patch for treating chronic pain announced Friday that it would recall one lot of the patches from wholesalers and pharmacies after it found some of them leaking the active ingredient.

Watson Pharmaceuticals announced the recall when fentanyl patches from lot 92461850 were found to be leaking fentanyl gel. Watson shipped the lot between Jan. 30 and March 19, and the patches have an expiration date of Aug. 31, 2009.

The company said exposure to fentanyl gel could result in respiratory depression or overdose, which could be fatal. It said that anyone who has 75 mcg/hr Fentanyl Transdermal System patches should check the box or foil pouch for the lot number and expiration date and should not handle the pouches directly.

It advised anyone who has the affected patches to call 888-667-1508, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. eastern time. Anyone who comes into contact with the gel should rinse exposed skin with large amounts of water, but not soap, and flush the patches down the toilet while taking care not to handle them directly, Watson said.