MedWatch Safety Alerts

Manufacturing products without proper process controls increases the probability that products will vary in strength, quality and purity

Preliminary results from an ongoing observational study in Botswana found that women who received dolutegravir at the time of becoming pregnant or early in the first trimester appear to be at higher risk for these defects. Neural tube defects are birth defects that can occur early in pregnancy when the spinal cord, brain, and related structures do not form properly. To date, in this observational study there are no reported cases of babies born with neural tube defects to women starting dolutegravir later in pregnancy. We are investigating this new safety issue and will update the public when we have more information.

There is a risk of the delivery wire breaking or separating during use. The clot retriever could be left inside the patient's bloodstream, and this or the attempts made to retrieve the device, can lead to further complications including bleeding, additional blockage of blood vessels, more severe stroke symptoms, or death.

Use of products with the undeclared active ingredients, sildenafil and tadalafil, may pose a threat to consumers because the active ingredient may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) and may cause a significant drop in blood pressure that may be life threatening. Among the adult male population who are most likely to use these products, adult males who use nitrates for cardiac conditions are the most at risk from these products. These products are considered tainted. To date, Shoreside Enterprises, Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

Early reviews found patients in the monotherapy arms of both trials with PD-L1 low status had decreased survival compared to patients who received cisplatin- or carboplatin-based chemotherapy.

Vyaire Medical is recalling the AirLife Resuscitation Device & Broselow Convenience Kit due to an error in its product design that may result in difficultly or the inability to disconnect the mask from the elbow of the resuscitator.

CDC reports that there are 10 confirmed cases of infection caused by bacteria within the Burkholderia cepacia complex, also commonly called B. cepacia, in three states: California (2), Pennsylvania (7), and New Jersey (1). These patients were already hospitalized for acute conditions and acquired the infections while hospitalized. The infections have been linked to the Medline product, Remedy Essentials No-Rinse Cleansing Foam.

Dräger Medical is recalling the Fabius Anesthesia machines due to excessive oil that was not removed at the time of production. Such excess oil may interfere with the position detector of the ventilation motor during operation and may cause ventilation to fail. A halt in ventilation may lead to serious adverse health consequences, including patient injury or death.

Ampicillin and Sulbactam for Injection USP, 3 g/Single-Dose Vials by AuroMedics Pharma: Recall - Exposure to particulate may result in local site reaction, thromboembolic events and systemic immune response.

The FDA has received reports associated with the use of these devices in the treatment of unruptured brain aneurysms that suggest some events of peri-procedural stroke and/or death may have been related to procedural risks or patient selection related factors. These factors include patients who had serious co-morbidities resulting in a reduced life expectancy, or who were intolerant to required anticoagulation or anti-platelet therapy.

Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection, USP 3.375 g by AuroMedics Pharma: Recall: Exposure to particulate matter may result in local irritation/swelling or more serious outcomes.

The FDA is warning that the medicine lamotrigine (Lamictal) for seizures and bipolar disorder can cause a rare but very serious reaction that excessively activates the body’s infection-fighting immune system. This can cause severe inflammation throughout the body and lead to hospitalization and death, especially if the reaction is not diagnosed and treated quickly. As a result, we are requiring a new warning about this risk be added to the prescribing information in the lamotrigine drug labels. The immune system reaction, called hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), causes an uncontrolled response by the immune system. HLH typically presents as a persistent fever, usually greater than 101°F, and it can lead to severe problems with blood cells and organs throughout the body such as the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

FDA is currently evaluating data which suggests that potentially inaccurate MR thermometry information can be displayed during treatment. Posted 04/25/2018

Expanded recall of various kratom dietary supplements to additional lot numbers due to possible Salmonella Health Risk.

NGB Corp. of West Jordan, Utah is voluntarily recalling NxtGen Botanicals Maeng Da Kratom labeled bottles of encapsulated product because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can ressult in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis, and arthritis.

Viable Solutions of Nampa, ID has initiated a recall of certain Kratom-containing powder products, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.

the recommended instructions and device design for the ERBEFLO port connector do not adequately mitigate the risks of cross-contamination for endoscopy patients. This is because the connector, tubing, and/or water bottle can become contaminated with blood, stool, or other fluids from previous patients that travel back through the endoscope channels into the connector and tubing. Endoscope connectors that are labeled for use with multiple patients over the course of 24 hours without reprocessing are known as 24-hour multi-patient use endoscope connectors. To date, the FDA has not received acceptable testing to demonstrate the safe use of these products, and recommends against their useTo mitigate the risk of cross-contamination and possible infection between patients, the FDA recommends the use of connectors with features that prevent patient fluids from flowing backwards into the endoscope (backflow prevention features). These connectors may be either single-use connectors that are discarded after each patient, or reusable connectors that are reprocessed according to their instructions for use prior to each patient.

Consumers with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates; concomitant use of nitrates and PDE-5 inhibitors can lead to fatal cardiovascular collapse. Posted 04/18/2018

Consumers with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol or heart disease often take nitrates; concomitant use of nitrates and PDE5 inhibitors can lead to fatal cardiovascular collapse. Posted 04/18/2018

If the battery runs out, the ICD or CRT-D will be unable to deliver life-saving pacing or shocks, which could lead to patient death. Posted 04/17/2018