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Actiq Lollipop Painkiller Deadly Side Effects

Actiq deathActiq 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 Articles

Suicide attributed to Actiq Lollipop
Guy Koski's son was prescribed Actiq lollipop for severe pain relating to a back injury. Eventually the pain subsided but his addiction to the powerful opiate was overwhelming - after taking Actiq for almost two years, Scott committed suicide.

Actiq Lollipop Off-Label
Actiq Lollipop is a big money-maker for Cephalon Inc., most likely due to its aggressive "off-label" marketing to practitioners other than oncologists.

Off-Label Prescribing of Pain Lollipops Turns Deadly
But a recent study by Prime Therapeutics found the drug is being prescribed off-label for unapproved uses nearly 90% of the time.

Actiq Lollipop Abuse
Actiq is a powerful narcotic painkiller containing fentanyl, a man-made opiate. It is designed for cancer patients whose pain cannot be relieved by other drugs, specifically morphine.

Actiq Lollipop in the News

FEB-10-07: Actiq lollipops were part of the arsenal of drugs found in Anna Nicole Smith's room when she died. [IVILLAGE: ACTIQ LOLLIPOP]

JAN-31-07: When Actiq pain reliever is prescribed for "off-label" use, it may lead to drug abuse, overdose and death. [NEWSDAY: ACTIQ ABUSE]

JAN-16-07: "Nearly 90 percent of Actiq prescriptions in our study were off-label, or not prescribed according to the guidelines set forth by the FDA." [EARTHTIMES: ACTIQ LOLLIPOP]

DEC-21-06: Actiq lollipop painkiller contributed to the death of a 20-year-old Southern Methodist University student who accidentally overdosed on a toxic mixture of cocaine, alcohol and the synthetic opiate fentanyl. [KHOU: ACTIQ DEATH]

Register your Actiq Lollipop Complaint

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 click the link below to submit your complaint to a lawyer for a free evaluation.


Posted on Jan-5-07
Updated on Feb-19-07

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