Opans off market now what.

[Rott55]

This is my first time posting here so I will make it as short as I can. I have been in pain management for about 2 years and before that my reg. Dr gave me pain pills, I have had 3 back surgeries and all failed. My question is I have been on 4  40 opana'sER a day plus 6 Roxie 30's a day now that opanas are off the market until about June or July my pain Dr. wants to put me on the pain patch i think she said it was Duragisic and what mg i don't know and  what she would start me out on, I'm really scared about these patches I have heard so many bad things about them and as far as other pain pills I have tried everything on the market and finally with the opanas I had finally had a life or a better life please can anyone help me know more on these patches she has given me 80mg oxies for 2 weeks until I can make a decision and the only reason I can't take the oxies is when they changed the formula it made me so sick.  Thanks to all, Rott

[Tuckamore]

Hello Rott,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am glad that you found us and took the time to post.

I am so very sorry to hear that this manufacturing error has affected you. It's always frightening when we have to change from a medication that we have become comfortable with and that works!!

I have been searching for the exact facts on the recall. It appears that the primary concern is that the non-narcotic medications (listed below) may contain the narcotic.
BEGIN Quote:
"Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis issued a recall of Excedrin, Bufferin, NoDoz and Gas-X on Sunday, citing concerns that some bottles of the over-the-counter medications contain tablets of other Novartis products — perhaps including the powerful prescription painkillers Percocet, Endocet, Opana and Zydone — or contain tablets that are broken or chipped.

The recalled lots include select bottle sizes of Excedrin and NoDoz with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014, or earlier and some bottle sizes of Bufferin and Gas-X with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013, or earlier. Complete information about the recalled lots is available on the Novartis website." END Quote

And this dated Jan 20, 2012: BEGIN Quote: ".....powerful prescription painkillers. Some of Novartis' popular medications may have accidentally been packaged with narcotics made at the same plant by Endo Pharmaceuticals, including Percocet, Endocet, Zydone and Opana." END Quote

And from another site dated Jan 9, 2012: BEGIN Quote: ISSUE: FDA is advising healthcare professionals and patients of a potential problem with opiate products manufactured and packaged for Endo Pharmaceuticals by Novartis Consumer Health at its Lincoln, Nebraska manufacturing site. Due to problems that occurred when these products were packaged and labeled at the site, tablets from one product type may have carried over into packaging of another product. This could result in a stray pill of one medicine ending up in the bottle of another product." END Quote

It's my understanding that it is only a temporary situation and effects only manufactured in one plant, Novartis' Lincoln, Nebraska.

I've also read that now they believe some of the dosing in the Opana is wrong!! What a mess!!! How terrible for you!!

The Fentanyl Patches that caused so many problems and several deaths are the ones that have the medication in a reservoir. There have been leaking incidents and large doses of the Fentanyl have been released on the skin and absorbed. Thankfully there are other Fentanly Patches that are made differently, in other words no reserviors of medication. They appear to be safer as there is no chance of leaking.... or a sudden release of the powerful medication. Ask your Physcian about the brand names and he can advise you... or your Pharmacist can do the same.

Please don't be overly concerned with withdrawals. Your Physician can help you with this... and I have not experienced any when switching from one opiate to another.

If you are absolutely terrified of this medication also discuss that with your Physcian. There may be other alternatives that will be more acceptable to you. It's certainly worth discussing. We all deserve peace of mind... and if switching to Fentanyl causes you extreme grief you may want to go anouther route.

For your sake I hope this is cleared up quickly. Please let us know what you and your Physician decide... and Please let us know how you are doing. I'll look forward to your updates.

Peace,
~Tuck

[heatherboo62]

I dont c how they can do this until youve actually been on opanas u have no idea the withdrawals it can make ur body go into im one of the lucky ones that have learned to deal with it on my own but other ppl i kno have fell victims to heroin theres no coming back from that and thts what these drugmakers dnt think about

[GA_need_help]

Yes I pray you get suggestions.  Is this the first time you have posted on Medhelp?  A lot of people don't know about Opana still. I pray you get the answers you need!!!

Marie

[Rott55]

Thank you for the answer, as I know the people who make opanas made a mistake by putting the ingredients in excedrin(miss spelled) so they have stopped making them until everyone is found or taken off the shelves and what I was told by my Dr that it should be around June or July before they can start making them again so yes I am freaking out a little because for once I felt that maybe i would have my life back...lol I'm no spring chicken at 57. I'm just scared about the patches so hopefully someone on here can help me know about them.

In Peace,
Rott

[GA_need_help]

Oh my goodness, I have just tapered down from three 40 mg Opana ERs plus three 10 mg Opana ERs a day.  I am currently on three 10 mg Opana ERs plus 4 Opana IRs.  I can't believe Opanas are off the market.  Its such funny timing because I am in the process of getting off them.  I need to see where my pain level is, and if I can handle my pain without pills.  Like you, I have had surgery on my back, and it didn't get all the pain.  
   I don't know about the patch.  I am just so sorry you are going through this.  I pray someone with experience answers.  I am so sorry you were feeling like you had a better life on Opana, and now this happened!  Take good care, and stay in touch.
Marie