Prescription painkiller fentanyl has been recalled in the U.S. and Canada after manufacturers said that certain defects may cause leaks that can lead to fatal overdoses.

Its manufacturer Johnson & Johnson and Novartis AG's Sandoz voluntarily recalled patches in the U.S. and Canada that release 25 micrograms of fentanyl in an hour with expiration dates on or before December 2009

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has called on all manufacturers of fentanyl patches to update patient-friendly information amid reports that thousands of people accidentally die due to

<p>The urgent call came as FDA continues to receive complaints about the apparent life threatening side effects, that sometimes even lead to deaths, of fentanyl patches among patients

The United States government, through the Food and Drug Administration, has issued a safety warning concerning Duragesic skin patch, a product of pharmaceutical giant, Johnson & Johnson. It has alleged life threatening effects if a physician prescribes the drug for uses that are not appropriate.

The warning came following reports that Duragesic has dangerous effects to end users and even causes deaths "if wrongly prescribed by doctors and incorrectly used by patients

The Food and Drug Administration releases warnings to patients using patches that emit the painkiller fentanyl.

Currently, 120 deaths associated with the patches are under federal investigation

The Food and Drug Administration released warnings Friday to patients using patches that emit the painkiller fentanyl.

Currently, 120 deaths associated with the patches are under federal investigation