I've heard some false myths about the different Fentanyl patches out there, which can be a good short term pain medication alternative. It is not a medication that you need to use all of the time, just as needed to get through moments when pain is at it's worst. The medication in a 25 mcg patch lasts 72 hours. Apparently, the recalls out there are based on the brand issuing the patch (just like the peanut butter recall!) See below:
Important Recall notice for Duragesic 25 mcg/hr transdermal patch and 25 mg/hr transdermal patch manufactured by Sandoz.
On February 13, 2008, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) announced a recall of its 25 mcg/hr Duragesic® (fentanyl) transdermal patch due to manufacturing issues that could lead to accidental overdoses. The recall affects all lots of J&J's Duragesic 25 mcg/hr and Sandoz's fentanyl transdermal patches 25 mcg/hr which are manufactured by Alza and distributed by either J&J or Sandoz. Only the 25 mcg/hr fentanyl transdermal patches are affected by this recall.
Patients who have these fentanyl transdermal patches should contact their prescribers for a new prescription as soon as possible and stop using these patches once they obtain a replacement supply. Patients who have the Duragesic patches should contact the manufacturer at # 800-547-6446 for further information. Patients who have the Sandoz patches should contact the manufacturer at # 800 901-7236 for further instructions.