lollipop

Texas Man Alleges Fentanyl Lollipops Caused Tooth Decay

By Marat Gaziev

Published on September 30, 2009

A Texas man has filed a lawsuit against Cephalon, the maker of Actiq Fentanyl lollipops, alleging that the sugar in the lollipops rotted his teeth and resulted in $37,000 in dental work.

The lawsuit was filed by Greg Lee Minckley in the District Court for the 419 Judicial District of Travis County, Texas.

The Actiq lollipops, which have been connected to numerous Fentanyl overdose deaths, are used to treat cancer pain. However, Minckley was prescribed the Fentanyl lollipops to treat pain caused by pancreatitis - an off-label use not approved by the FDA.

The lawsuit alleges that the manufacturer's sales representatives marketed the Fentanyl lollipops for off-label uses, with over 80 percent of the drug's users being cancer-free. The FDA has also voiced concern over aggressive marketing of the product to doctors who are not oncologists or pain specialists.

Fentanyl lollipops are designed to release the powerful painkiller into the mouth over time. Yet many believe that the harmless look of the lollipop leads to extensive use by its patients, increasing the risk of overdose. The product is also dangerous to have around young children who may think the lollipops are candy.

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Keyword Tags: defective drugs, pharmaceutical litigation

Comments

1

I was given the Actiq lollipops since I was allergic to the glue in the Duragesic fentanyl patch. After using the lolipops for awhile, I started to get cavities at the gum line. Never before have I had a cavity at the gum line, nor so many cavities, decay and infection. Well fillings didn’t hold at the gum line. Then all the teeth were crowned. I continued the Actiq, as I wasn’t aware of any other pain med that would control my pain., Well, somehow the Actiq gets under the crowns and destroys the teeth and bone structure. Crowns started to break off. Recently, I have had so many root canals, bone grafts and bridgework for the teeth that may be able to be usable for bridges. But who knows if the bridges will last. Later down the line, those will probably need implants which I cant afford. I quit using actiq just over a year ago, but the damage has already progressed too far. I try to get dental work done now little by little when I can afford to. It is so costly. I had no idea that the Actiq affects the bone structure as well as the teeth. I spent $20,000 to get off the Actiq in a detox center. This situation is ludicrous. The company should have alerted the doctors and patients about these issues and discouraged off label use. $120,000 plus for the yearly cost of the Actiq, and they encouraged off label use, not emphasizing the bone and teeth problems which is unavoidable under any circumstances. I wish I could file a lawsuit. At least Duragesic company advised me not to use the patch when I was allergic to the glue, but I would rather have dealt with the allergic reactions than these teeth problems.
I was advised by my dentist that it is the fentanyl in the Actiq that inhibits blood flow around the teeth and gumline and bone. This causes decay at the gumline and decay from the inside out. I think many of us noticed that the visible decay started at the gumline, not typical of sugar type cavities that usually have some development of decay on the top of molars. I can’t be certain at this time, however, I feel the manufacturer did not develop the sugar free version of Actiq because they knew they could blame tooth decay on the sugar instead of the fentanyl actions within the body. I wish someone were smart enough to research this and get some action started against Actiq manufacturer.

JULIE, about 1 year ago

2

Same with me, all my teeth have to go. I just took a 5,000.00 loan tofix my teeth; reading your message here only serves to prove that money is wasted, as is the 8,000.00 I spent 3 years ago. I have no dental insurance, I have been juggling one 0% interest loan, into another, to pay off the dental work and am realizing, reading yours and so many other stories about the dental problems related to this drug. Thank God, I read your story, about detoxing. I was considering, quitting on my own,and am just now learning how impossible

andy , 6 months ago

3

I also have serious tooth decay from Actiq, 14 teeth removed already and quite sure I will need a complete new set of teeth. This is not my opinion but rather the opinion of several dentist. While this is awful and never once was I told by any of my treating pain specialist of the horrendous side affects, it pales in severity to what I was told on Christmas Day 2010. While being treated for Pneumonia on Dec 24th 2010 in the ER at St Alphonsus I was admitted. On Christmas Day Dr Kraff a young internest told me I was at end stage liver failure. My problem started out as NASH ( Non Alcoholic Steato Hepatitis) progressed to chirossis and now end stage liver failure. I have been told I will not see my 63rd birthday, I turned 60 on November3rd just 4 days ago. I have been told that the drug Fentanyl that was in my Duragesic patches and Actiq lollipops I was prescribed for years due to eight failed back surgeries is and was very toxic to my liver. While I have been told that all pain meds are hard on ones liver Fentanyl is in a league of it own when it comes to liver damage. Never once was I ever told any of the medicines side affects. This drug is wicked

Greg Shannon, less than a minute ago

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