Accelerated release can lead to adverse events

Actavis announced a voluntary recall to the wholesale and retail levels of lots of Fentanyl Transdermal System 25 mcg/hour C-II patches.

Actavis identified one lot of 25 mcg/hour Fentanyl patch (Control/Lot # 30349) shipped to market that contained one patch that released its active ingredient faster than the approved specification in laboratory testing. An accelerated release of Fentanyl from a 25 mcg/hour patch can lead to adverse events for at-risk patients, including excessive sedation, respiratory depression, hypoventilation (slow breathing), and apnea (temporary suspension of breathing). The patches are packaged individually and boxed in quantities of five patches per box.

Fentanyl Transdermal System is indicated for the management of persistent, moderate to severe chronic pain that requires continuous, around-the-clock opioid administration for an extended period of time and cannot be managed by other means such as non-steroidal analgesics, opioid combination products, or immediate release opioids.

As a precautionary measure, although unaware of any injuries associated with this issue, in addition to the aforementioned lot, Actavis is recalling the additional Control/Lot numbers noted below due to the possibility that additional patches may release active ingredient faster than the approved specification. The Control/Lot number appears on the bottom of the product box and on the black and white side of each individual patch packaging, in the lower left corner.

Corium, a third party supplier for Actavis, manufactured the recalled patches at their Grand Rapids, Michigan facility.

Under this recall, all wholesalers and retailers are being asked to return the product they have on hand or in stock. Fentanyl patches sold by Actavis in Europe are not impacted in this recall.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Information also is available through the Actavis U.S. website at www.actavis.us by going to the "Fentanyl Recall Information" link on the front page.

Actavis has operators available to help customers, health professionals and consumers with the following information:

• Medical Issue/Adverse Event/Product Questions
  1-877-422-7452 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week)
• Return/Reimbursement Questions
  1-888-896-4562 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week)

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Regular Mail: use postage-paid, pre-addressed Form FDA 3500 available at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm. Mail to address on the pre-addressed form.

Fax: 1-800-FDA-0178