Overdose and Death Linked to Fentora
Last Updated on June 26, 2017
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At A Glance
- This Alert Affects
- Families of patients who have died because of Fentora use.
- Damages
- Fentora has been linked to death and serious side effects in patients.
- Company(ies)
- Merck
- Additional Details
- Fentora is prescribed for cancer patients who cannot receive adequate pain relief from morphine. However, some doctors have prescribed Fentora for off-label uses, including back pain and migraines.
- Date
- The FDA released a warning about Fentora in Sept. 2007.
Manufactured by Cephalon, Fentora is a popular painkiller prescribed for cancer patients in extreme pain. The Drug Enforcement Administration categorizes Fentora as a Schedule II substance. Fentora is only approved for cancer patients that do not receive significant pain relief from morphine or other strong painkillers. However, reports have shown that Fentora was prescribed for off-label use, meaning it was used to treat a non-approved medical condition.
Though the drug is meant to only be used in cancer patients, doctors have prescribed Fentora for back pain, migraines and headaches. While this off-label use is not illegal, the manufacturer cannot market the drug for these uses. Still, the FDA has reported that patients who should not have received Fentora have died and many were prescribed incorrect doses. Many blame Cephalon for inadequately warning of the risk of overdose and death.
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