Herbal Spotlight
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NEW WARNING
Cephalon has issued a "Dear Healthcare Professional" letter and a "Dear Doctor" letter regarding their opioid pain reliever fentanyl (Fentora) following reports of serious adverse effects, including deaths in patients using the drug. The letters stress important safety information regarding Fentora: it shouldn't be used in opioid non-tolerant patients; it should only be used for the approved indication (the management of break through pain in patients with cancer who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain); it shouldn't be used for acute pain, postoperative pain, headaches or migraines, or sports injuries; it shouldn't be substituted for Actia or other fentanyl containing products; and the following dosing guidelines should be explained to the patient and followed carefully--don't take more than two tablets per breakthrough pain episode and wait at least 4 hours before treating another break through pain episode. Cephalon emphasizes the importance of these guidelines and encourages all healthcare professionals to review the safety information before using the drug to treat patients.
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fentanyl