FDA: Accidental Exposures to Fentanyl Patches 　

Emergency Message System

October13th, 2023

Accidental exposure to medication is a leading cause of poisoning in children. Young children, in particular, have died or become seriously ill after being exposed to a skin patch containing fentanyl, a powerful opioid pain reliever. If you suspect that a child has been exposed to a fentanyl patch, call 911 and seek emergency medical help immediately.

Children Can Overdose on Fentanyl Patches
Children can overdose on new and used fentanyl patches by putting them in their mouth or sticking the patches on their skin. This can cause death by slowing the child’s breathing and decreasing the levels of oxygen in their blood.

The FDA has warned – and continues to warn – patients, caregivers and health care professionals about the dangers of accidental exposure to the fentanyl patch, and of the need to properly store and dispose of the product.

Cut the Risk of Accidental Exposure.
To reduce the chance that children will be exposed to fentanyl patches, take these precautions:

Keep fentanyl patches and other drugs in a secure location out of children’s sight and reach. Consider keeping fentanyl patches in a lockbox. Toddlers and young children may think the patch is a sticker, bandage or temporary tattoo.
Consider covering the fentanyl patch with a transparent adhesive film dressing to make sure the patch doesn’t come off your body. You can apply first-aid tape to the edges of the patch to secure it to your skin.
Throughout the day, make sure the patch is still in place, by touching it or looking at it to make sure it hasn’t fallen off.
When you apply a new patch, promptly dispose of the used one properly.
Infants and toddlers are especially at risk of accidental exposure to fentanyl. When children are held by or are sleeping with adults wearing a patch, it is possible that the medicine from a partially detached patch could be transferred from adult to child.

How to Dispose of Fentanyl Patches
Even after a patch is used, there is enough fentanyl left to cause illness, overdose or death in babies, children, pets and others who are accidentally exposed to the medicine in the patch. That’s why the drug comes with special instructions on how to dispose of used or leftover patches.

The FDA recommends promptly disposing of used patches by folding them in half with the sticky sides together, and then flushing them down a toilet. Patches should not be placed in the household trash, where children or pets can find them. Children may find lost, discarded or improperly stored patches and ingest them or stick them on themselves or others.

What to Do if a Child Is Exposed to Fentanyl
If you suspect that a child has been exposed to a fentanyl patch, use naloxone if you have it, call 911, and seek emergency medical help immediately.