Introduction

This is a pharmacology class project concerning safe handling of hazardous drugs.

Fentanyl

An bit from www.drugs.com

Accidental Exposure

​A considerable amount of active fentanyl remains in Fentanyl Transdermal System even after use as directed. Death and other serious medical problems have occurred when children and adults were accidentally exposed to Fentanyl Transdermal System. Accidental or deliberate application or ingestion by a child or adolescent will cause respiratory depression that can result in death. Placing Fentanyl Transdermal System in the mouth, chewing it, swallowing it, or using it in ways other than indicated may cause choking or overdose that could result in death. Improper disposal of Fentanyl Transdermal System in the trash has resulted in accidental exposures and deaths.

​Advise patients about strict adherence to the recommended handling and disposal instructions in order to prevent accidental exposure to Fentanyl Transdermal System

Disposal Instructions

​Failure to properly dispose of Fentanyl Transdermal System has resulted in accidental exposures and deaths [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

​Patients should dispose of used patches immediately upon removal by folding the adhesive side of the patch to itself, then flushing down the toilet.
​Unused patches should be removed from their pouches, the protective liners removed, the patches folded so that the adhesive side of the patch adheres to itself, and immediately flushed down the toilet.
​Patients should dispose of any patches remaining from a prescription as soon as they are no longer needed.