MedWatch Safety Alerts

The FDA is aware that patients undergoing treatment or management of pain are commonly given pain medicines in the spinal fluid (intrathecal administration) that are not FDA approved for use with the implanted pump.

Requiring a new warning about this risk to be added to the prescribing information of all SGLT2 inhibitors and to the patient Medication Guide.

FDA has reviewed the final results from the post-approval study conducted by SynCardia Systems, LLC. for their Temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t) Companion 2 Driver System (C2 Driver System). These final results indicate a higher mortality rate and higher stroke rate for patients initially supported with the C2 Driver System compared to patients initially supported with the previous generation driver, the Circulatory Support System (CSS) Console.

The FDA is reminding health care providers that tests to detect rupture of the amniotic membranes should not be used without other clinical assessments to make critical patient management decisions.

The antibiotic Zithromax, Zmax (azithromycin) should not be given long-term to prevent a certain inflammatory lung condition in patients with cancers of the blood or lymph nodes who undergo a donor stem cell transplant. Results of a clinical trial found an increased rate of relapse in cancers affecting the blood and lymph nodes, including death, in these patients.

The investigation into valsartan-containing products is ongoing and there are currently three voluntary recalls related to the NDMA impurity detected in the valsartan

FDA is strengthening the current warnings in the prescribing information that fluoroquinolone antibiotics may cause significant decreases in blood sugar and certain mental health side effects.

The products have been found by the FDA via sample testing and finding to have salmonella contamination. In lieu of such FDA findings the company has implemented standard operating procedures and sterilization processes in accordance to FDA guidelines

Based on new information, the Endologix AFX with Strata device is at greater risk for a Type III endoleak compared to other endovascular AAA graft systems.

At least 43 patient reported adverse event after receiving eye injections of Guardian’s Pharmacy Services compounded triamcinolone-moxifloxacin product during cataract surgery. The patients reportedly experienced various symptoms, including vision impairment, poor night vision, loss of color perception, and significant reductions in best-corrected visual acuity and visual fields. FDA identified multiple substances in Guardian’s product, including poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 407 degradants. FDA prepared in-house samples of Guardian’s product and found that autoclaving and sonication caused the poloxamer 407 to degrade. The amount of poloxamer 407 in Guardian’s product (12%, g/100 mL) is much greater than the maximum amount of poloxamers in FDA-approved ophthalmic products for topical administration (0.1-0.2%, g/100 mL), and the safety profile of drug products intended for intravitreal injection containing poloxamer 407 is unknown.

Maquet Datascope Corp. is recalling the IABP due to a design issue that allows fluid (such as saline) to seep into the device. The fluid can cause corrosion of internal components such as the electronic circuit boards, and lead to device malfunction (e.g., sudden stops) which can cause a delay or interruption in therapy. Device failure may result in immediate and serious adverse health consequences, including death.

FDA has approved new labeling for the Orbera and ReShape balloon systems with more information about possible death associated with the use of these devices.

The patient has a low likelihood of experiencing adverse events ranging from local irritation, allergic reactions, phlebitis, end-organ granuloma, tissue ischemia, pulmonary emboli, pulmonary dysfunction, pulmonary infarction, and toxicity.

Interruptions to the electrical connection could cause a pump stop. A pump stop could cause patient harm such as exacerbation of heart failure symptoms, or symptoms such as mild weakness, loss of consciousness, or death.

The patient port retaining ring of the affected bags may not fully seat which may allow the patient port to detach during use.

The glass particles could block the actuator and impact the functionality of the pump and expose patients to the glass particles.

Allergan recently identified, through a physician report, that four placebo capsules were placed out of order in a sample pack of TAYTULLA. Specifically, the first four days of therapy had four non-hormonal placebo capsules instead of active capsules. As a result of this packaging error, oral contraceptive capsules, that are taken out of sequence, may place the user at risk for contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy. The reversing of the order may not be apparent to either new users or previous users of the product, increasing the likelihood of taking the capsules out of order. If patients have concerns regarding the possibility of an unintended pregnancy they should consult their physician.

The products may be contaminated with bacteria. Topical administration of the products could result in potentially serious bacterial infections in immunocompromised individuals.

Oral over-the-counter benzocaine products should not be used to treat infants and children younger than 2 years and should only be used in adults and children 2 years and older if they contain certain warnings on the drug label.

Methanol,a highly toxic type of alcohol, can cause serious and sometimes fatal damage if ingested by humans or animals.