MedWatch report issued for Fentora
FDA and Cephalon issue warning letters on Fentora use
Letters have been issued to both physicians and other healthcare professionals regarding the appropriate use of fentanyl buccal tablets (Fentora, Cephalon) following recent reports of deaths associated with the drug's use. The letters state that the painkiller should only be used for breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant patients who are already receiving opioid therapy for treatment of persistent cancer pain. "Opioid-tolerant" is described as patients who are taking 60 mg or more of oral morphine per day, 30 mg/day or more of oxycodone, 8 mg/day or greater of oral hydromorphone, 25 mcg transdermal fentanyl per hour, or an equianalgesic dose of another opioid for longer than a week's duration. Patients not requiring "round-the-clock" opioid therapy are considered opioid non-tolerant and should not use Fentora. Cephalon emphasized that Fentora should not be used as a substitute for any other fentanyl-containing product.
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Pharmacists Play Unique Role in Advancing Health Equity for Patients With Chronic Disease
December 7th 2023A new study, outlined in a poster at ASHP Midyear 2023, identified 3 key themes associated with the ways in which pharmacists are positioned to advance health equity for patients with chronic diseases.
