Actiq is a powerful narcotic painkiller in the form of a lollipop that is manufactured by Cephalon, Inc. The drug is delivered to the bloodstream by a lollipop-like lozenge; when placed against the inner cheek, pain is relieved in minutes. Actiq is also administered by transdermal patches and by injection. The active ingredient, fentanyl citrate, is a highly addictive narcotic which is approximately 80 times more potent than morphine.
The FDA approved the Actiq lollipop in 1998 for treatment of severe pain in cancer patients. However, Actiq is apparently being prescribed to thousands of people for off label treatment of non-cancer related pain. It has been estimated that in the first half of 2006 approximately 99% of the 187,076 Actiq prescriptions filled in the U.S. were not for cancer patients.
The Actiq lollipop has been associated with the deaths of at least 127 people. There have been another 91 FDA reported incidents of severe side effects. Side effects have ranged from dehydration to respiratory problems along with further issues associated with the highly addictive nature of the narcotic. Forty-seven of the deaths have been linked to addiction, misuse, or overdose. Two deaths have reportedly involved children who mistook the Actiq lollipop for candy.
Actiq Lollipop Legal Help
If you or a loved one has suffered life threatening side effects from the Actiq Lollipop painkiller, you might qualify for damages or remedies that may be awarded in a possible class action or lawsuit. Please fill in our form on the right to submit your complaint to a lawyer for a free evaluation.
You asked me if I wanted help from an attorney and after I wrote out my claim I went to check out your privacy section to make sure you do not sell my information since I am new to your site. When I try to get back to submit my claim it was gone so I do not know if you received it or not???
I hope you received my claim.
Anyways--I lost all but two teeth on my upper jaw. I lost them because I used Actiq Lollipops. I began to use them when they first came out on the market--I was on Fentanyl Patches and the Actiq was for breakthrough pain. It helped a lot because for 7yrs I lived on my crouch because my pain was so-----------severe. The doctors tried 30 or so medications on me to bring down my pain level and it didn't work or else it had terrible side-effects. Fentanyl helped greatly-it gave me a life again---so I didn't notice at first about the "Sugar" that was in these Lollipops. There was nothing in the Drug warnings that came with the Actiq Lollipops about the Sugar--Actiq put that out latter on. I went to the dentist on a regular basis, teeth cleaned on regular basis, I used prescription toothpaste that contained more fluoride in it to prevent teeth decay, then Biotene toothpaste, Pronamel to protect the enamel on my teeth, Biotene oral rinse, ACT Biotene mouthwash, Biotene lozenges, Biotene spray to keep my mouth moist. I asked the dentist if there was anything more I could have done to preserve my teeth, to keep them from being destroyed. He told me no and another thing my dentist told me is that I have a bone protruding out on the roof of my mouth so that I can not use dentures. If I were to try to use dentures the roof of my mouth would have to be split open and possibly up into my nasal cavity. The bone would have to be cut out and my dentist said it would be a Horrible Nightmare. He said the only thing I could have done is Implants no dentures. Sorry I have written before but I do not know if you receive my claim. So I am writing it down again. Sorry.
Posted by Mary Anne Tanner
on
I am a Nurse--got injured and was placed on about 30 different medications over a period of time. The medications either did not help or else I developed bad side-effects. A doctor finally placed me on Fentanyl Patches when the Nurses in his office could not fine a blood pressure on me. I was in such severe pain that my blood pressure bottomed out, twice this occurred. My muscles began to relax (which was quite noticeable because they were so tense from being in such severe pain) but I still could not function well until I took the Fentanyl Lollipops. They helped to bring down my pain level but I began to have dental problems. I had many root canals done and they went bad. I was prescribe by my dentist prescription toothpaste. I used special toothpaste Biotene, oral rinse before brushing, and the Biotene Act mouthwash after brushing my teeth. I used a water pic and another toothpaste that said it would help to protect the enamel on my teeth but all the care I did, did help keep my gums healthy but my teeth went bad. I did see the dentist for teeth cleaning on a regular basis too but I lost but two of my teeth in my upper jaw. I have root canals done on my teeth in my lower jaw and I am hoping I do not loose them also. I do a lot of crying and it is very difficult to eat. My dentist tells me I can not get dentures because of the way the roof of my mouth is--the surgeon would have to split my mouth open and the dentist said that would be a real nightmare for me to go through.
Posted by Nevada
on
I was prescribed actiq for about 1 1/2 yrs. Toward the end of this, signs HAD come up saying that actiq causes tooth decay. But this was far too late, for the damage had already been done. My top 4 molars are basically hollowed out in decay, causes pain and frequent abcesses. Xrays show severe bone loss under the gums. I would have to have 4 top molars pulled, (my chewing teeth), the bone built up, then either partials or more expensive, implants. The cost of fixing the problem is > $5,000. I was told at age 28 that I would keep my teeth well into old age, but now at 44 am facing the need for dentures.
Posted by Florida
on
Had to have all my teeth pulled to decay at age of just 31.
Posted by Colorado
on
My teeth would constantly decay and break, resulting in full mouth implants and permanent dentures in excess of $32,000. Broken bones from falling while using actiq. Due to insurance no longer paying for actiq, I am having to discontinue use, which is creating an enormous withdrawal issue. The financial hardship has been significant as well, as my wife has to take time off from work to help take care of me. Home had to be refinanced to accommodate this problem, and the financial hardships continue. We would really appreciate any help you can give us.
Posted by Pennsylvania
on
I am a 22 yr old female who used Actiq lollipops for pain management and encured severe tooth loss, decay and damage behind it. I need 30-100 thousand dollars of work to fix whats damaged and insurance wont cover it because its considered a cosmetic procedure even though its necessary.
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Actiq is a powerful narcotic painkiller in the form of a lollipop that is manufactured by Cephalon, Inc. The drug is delivered to the bloodstream by a lollipop-like lozenge; when placed against the inner cheek, pain is relieved in minutes. Actiq is also administered by transdermal patches and by injection. The active ingredient, fentanyl citrate, is a highly addictive narcotic which is approximately 80 times more potent than morphine.
