According to the FDA, there have been 26 incidents of accidental fentanyl exposure since 1997 resulting in ten deaths and twelve cases requiring hospitalization. Most of the cases invovled children. The FDA issued a consumer advisory Thursday reminding parents, caregivers and medical personnel of the deadly consequences posed to children from accidental contact with or ingestion of fentanyl patches. The patches are prescribed for pain and marketed under the name Duragesic. It is imperative that the patches be kept away from children and stored and disposed of carefully.
