WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says some medicated adhesive patches present a risk to patient safety if worn during magnetic resonance imaging scans.
The FDA said the patches that can cause skin burns include both brand name and generic products, as well as patches purchased over the counter without a prescription.
The FDA issued a public health advisory on transdermal drug patches after learning a warning was missing on some patches that contain aluminum or other metals in their non-adhesive backing. Although the backing isn't in direct contact with the skin and isn't attracted to the magnetic field of the MRI, officials said the metal can conduct electricity, generating heat that can cause burns.
The federal agency recommends people wearing medicated skin patches, including nicotine patches, talk to a healthcare professional about their patch at the time they receive their MRI referral. Patients should also tell their MRI facility they are using a patch when they call to schedule their appointment and repeat that information when filling out their health history questionnaire after arriving for their appointment.
