The fentanyl patch is a widely used painkiller that delivers a narcotic up to 100 times more powerful than morphine through the skin for three days at a time. It was originally intended for cancer patients and others with severe chronic pain who were already taking potent opiate-based painkillers. But the FDA said the patch is also being prescribed to many who don't really need it — even people suffering from nothing more than headaches.

The Food and Drug Administration today issued a new safety warning for a potent painkiller that comes in a patch and has been linked to hundreds of accidental overdose deaths, in many instances because doctors have mistakenly prescribed the narcotic to the wrong kinds of patients. A heating pad applied near the patch — or even a hot shower — can cause an overdose. As part of the safety warning, drug makers will be required to develop a safety guide for patients, which will be dispensed with the prescription.

Too much fentanyl can cause life-threatening breathing problems, and even death. The drug is widely known by its brand name, Duragesic, but nowadays generic versions account for most of the estimated 4.7 million prescriptions written annually. All forms of the patch should be used with great caution. Whether it may a simple headache of more, proper prescription and caution is needed to have a healthy and more effective pain relief.