• 06
  • September
    2011

A recent MSNBC article recounted an incident, which occurred in June, involving an 8-month old Maine boy who got hold of 50-microgram Fentanyl patch and was later found to be unconscious and barely breathing, with the patch stuck to the roof of his mouth. Fentanyl is a high potency pain killer, one hundred times stronger than morphine.

Doctors treated the infant with a quick-acting opiate antidote and he survived the incident, but the incident has prompted safety experts to issue warnings to caregivers about the potential dangers transdermally delivered drugs pose for children.

Transdermal medications can pose a danger to children whether they have been found in home trash cans, rubbed off during a hug or close contact, and even after the patch is removed. Sources said that residual medicine remains on the skin up to 72 hours after medication patches are removed.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, four children have been reported dead and six hospitalized as a result of transdermal medications since 1997. But it is likely that many more children have had exposure to such drugs, since it goes undetected in less serious cases.

As of last year, there are almost 60 drugs sold in transdermal form. The largest sales come from Fentanyl, and 4.7 million such prescriptions were sold last year. According to FDA safety warnings, the patches are to be flushed down the toilet after use. Prior to flushing they are to be folded in half, sticky sides together. Less dangerous drugs are supposed to be folded in half and sealed in a child proof container before being thrown away.

Source: MSNBC, "Dangerous drug patches pose overlooked risk to kids," JoNel Aleccia, Aug 11, 2011.