Fentora Fentanyl Buccal Tablet

Fentora (fentanyl buccal tablet) is a drug which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use strictly by cancer patients already taking morphine or other prescription narcotics for intense pain. Manufactured by Cephalon, Inc., Fentora contains the dangerous drug fentanyl, which is 100 times stronger than morphine.

There have been at least four fatalities linked to Fentora. Two of the four people who died were prescribed Fentora for headache treatment, which is considered “off-label” use (use not approved by the FDA). All four deaths apparently involved improper use of the drug, according to its manufacturer. At last count, doctors have written about 78,000 prescriptions for Fentora.

The other deaths involved a suicide and an overdose. According to Candace Steel, a Cephalon spokesperson, “None of the reports were in cancer patients, which leads us to believe they were inappropriate candidates for the product."

Cephalon reminded doctors and pharmacists, in letters released by the FDA, of who should take the drug, in what quantities and how often. The company also warned not to substitute Fentora on a one-for-one basis for another, older fentanyl drug called Actiq that it also makes, because the newer drug is stronger.

FDA spokesperson Susan Cruzan said, "The FDA takes this very seriously, and is working with the company to assure the safest possible use of this medication."

If you or someone you care about has been taking Fentora and experienced adverse side effects, overdosed or even died as a result, please fill out our Case Review Form to the right on this page for a free consultation.