Hospira Recalls Lactated Ringer’s and Dextrose Contaminated with Mold

On October 5, 2012, Hospira Inc. declared that certain Lactated Ringer’s and Dextrose products would be voluntarily recalled from the consumer level. According to the manufacturer, there had been a malfunction with the inner containers of the products which had resulted in a contamination of the medicine by spore-like particulates similar to mold.

Lactated Ringer’s manufactured by Hospira have been recalled due to contamination from ill packaged products.

The defective product was reported to Hospira by a customer who had stated that the

inner container had been leaking. Since the product container is concealed within an non-sterile over-wrap, this leaves the medication susceptible to contamination from the packaging. Hospira claims that upon leaking, the medicine could possibly come in contact with harmful substances and reenter the inner product container. In the event of using a contaminated Lactated Ringer’s or Dextrose product, the patients health could be jeopardized. Injecting Lactated Ringer’s or Dextrose that has foreign particles or mold may put patients at risk of a blood infection (septicemia) or septic shock.

Which Products Have Been Recalled?

Hospira has voluntarily recalled Lactated Ringer’s and 5% Dextrose Injections of 1000 mL. These products have been recalled from batch #12-160-JT with a National Drug Code Number of 0409-7929-09. The Lactated Ringer’s and Dextrose injections were released from the lot between January and June of 2012.

What to Do With Recalled Products

Recalled products should not be used under any circumstances. If you have any injections that were involved in the recall:

• do not receive injections from effected products
• isolate the product at once
• contact Stericycle at 1-877-615-0187

Persons who have used a contaminated product and suffered from a reaction such as nausea and vomiting, rapid heart rate, trouble breathing or shortness of breath, fever (body temperature above 100°F), or feeling generally ill should report their case to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA MedWatch Program may be reached online at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm, by mailing the address listed on the FDA page or by faxing your report to 1-800-FDA-0178.