Actiq Side Effects

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Actiq (generically known as an oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC)), is a very strong narcotic containing fentanyl, which has been classified as a schedule II controlled substance. The drug was approved for use in cancer patients who suffer intense pain unrelieved by the use of other narcotics. Manufactured by Cephalon Inc., the sale of Actiq generated over $470 million in revenue in the first nine months of 2005. An Actiq dose is a berry-flavored, white lozenge on a stick, somewhat resembling a lollipop. This lozenge is swabbed between the cheek and gum to release the drug into the bloodstream, providing quick pain relief. It has been commercially sold in the United States since approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1999.

Update: Our firm is only accepting Actiq overdose cases. If a friend or loved one has suffered from an unfortunate Actiq induced overdose related death, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation and we can help.

Actiq’s only intended use is the pain relief of cancer patients suffering breakthrough cancer pain. Other Actiq uses have included the treatment and pain relief in patients suffering bone injuries, severe back pain, arthritis, migraines, and other types of moderate to severe chronic pain. Common side effects of Actiq include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, and hot flashes. The most serious side effects occurring in this class of medications include circulatory depression, respiratory depression, shock, and hypotension, sometimes causing death. The minimum dosage is enough medication to kill a small child and is shaped like a lollipop besides, so extreme care needs to be taken to keep Actiq out of the hands of children.

The primary active ingredient in Actiq is fentanyl, which is a highly addictive drug 80 times stronger than morphine. This creates a high addiction potential and usually kills those who overdose on it. Actiq has become a narcotic of choice within the recreational drug user community and has gained the nickname “perc-o-pop” on the streets of the nation. 127 fatalities have reportedly occurred in patients using Actiq and another 91 serious injuries attributed to respiratory distress or severe dehydration has also been reported to the FDA.

Each Actiq lollipop contains 150 calories, mainly due to the sugar and flavorings used to create the lollipops. This makes tooth decay, tooth loss, and weight gain potential side effects for users requiring a higher number of Actiq lollipops per day. This also can cause a problem with diabetic patients, who may forget to take the sugar content of Actiq into account. A sugar-free version, named Actiq-SF, is due to be released in the first half of 2007.

It has been determined that Actiq is widely overused, increasing the likelihood of abuse, addiction, and serious side effects. Studies have confirmed that 90% of prescriptions written for Actiq are off-label, which means they are written for uses that are not approved by the FDA. Only 10% of all prescriptions of Actiq are written for its intended purpose, to treat acute pain in cancer patients. As a result of questionable promotion and marketing by the drug manufacturer, the medication has been prescribed for many less serious aliments, resulting in many users suffering injuries which could have been prevented with a less potent medication. Records show that 90% of those with Actiq prescriptions do not have a diagnosis of cancer or AIDS, and over 15% of those prescriptions have been written for higher doses than recommended by the FDA.

For these reasons, the drug manufacturer, Cephalon Inc., has been under investigation by the Connecticut attorney general for the last two years. It has been alleged that Cephalon Inc. has engaged in questional and/or unethical practices to increase the sales of Actiq. The company has been accused of promoting Actiq to other medical specialists, as well as conducting small studies to have Actiq prescribed for migraine relief. A spokesman for Cephalon has stated that the company is cooperating with the investigation and will continue to do so until completion.

Do I have an Actiq Lawsuit?

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Actiq lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Actiq cases in all 50 states.

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