Fatal Overdose due to Confusion of an Transdermal Fentanyl Delivery System

Fatal Overdose due to Confusion of an Transdermal Fentanyl Delivery System

Background. The use of transdermal fentanyl systems has increased over recent years, especially in patients with chronic pain. Large misuse potential and fatal outcomes have been described. Case Presentation. A 58-year-old patient presenting with clinical signs of opioid poisoning (hypoventilation, bradycardia, hypotension, and miosis) was admitted to our ICU. The first body check revealed a 75...

Fatal intravenous misuse of transdermal fentanyl.

The introduction of a transdermal delivery system for fentanyl means that it is now more readily available. We present the first documented fatality after intravenous injection of the contents of a transdermal fentanyl patch. Prescribers need to be aware of the potential for misuse of fentanyl patches.

Fatal overdose after ingestion of a transdermal fentanyl patch in two non-human primates.

UNLABELLED CASE HISTORY AND PRESENTATION: Two non-human primates (Macaca fascicularis), weight 3.5 kg, enrolled in an experimental protocol received a 25 μg hour(-1) transdermal fentanyl patch for postoperative analgesia. The following day both animals were clinically normal, but after a new induction of anaesthesia with ketamine, they developed severe and prolonged respiratory distress, profou...

Non-Fatal Amlodipine and Insulin Overdose in an Elderly Person

Plasma fentanyl concentrations during transdermal delivery of fentanyl to surgical patients.

Plasma fentanyl concentrations were measured during and after transdermal fentanyl delivery in groups of patients undergoing general surgery. At 8 and 12 h, concentrations did not differ from those observed in a matched group of patients receiving fentanyl by i.v. infusion. At 24 h, concentrations were significantly lower in one of the transdermal groups. Plasma fentanyl clearance did not diffe...