FYI on Inhalers

[Guest guest]

Albuterol Sulfate Solution for Inhalation (0.5%)

Audience: ICU staff, Respiratory Therapists, and other healthcare

professionals

FDA issued a Public Health Advisory notifying the medical community of

two recent hospital outbreaks of lower respiratory tract colonization

and infection with Burkholderia cepacia attributed to contaminated

multi-dose bottles of albuterol sulfate. In most cases, colonization or

infection occurred in the ICU setting, often in patients receiving

mechanical ventilation. The advisory reminds healthcare professionals of

measures that may be important in reducing the risk of contamination and

subsequent outbreaks of infections. (The link below opens a new browser

window with the advisory notice.)

[April 19, 2002 Public Health Advisory - FDA]

__________________________________Heparin Sodium Injection, USP

Audience: Healthcare professionals

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and ESI Lederle are voluntarily recalling ALL lots

of Heparin Sodium Injection, USP (Porcine Derived) 1,000 units per mL, 1

mL DOSETTE ® Vial, 10 mL and 30 mL Multiple Dose Vials due to the

presence of clear crystals containing an antioxidant compound from the

vial rubber closures.

[May 1, 2002 Letter to Health Care Providers - Wyeth/ESI Lederle]

[May 1, 2002 Letter to Customers/Distributors - Wyeth/ESI Lederle]

[May 1, 2002 Drug Shortage Information - FDA]

__________________________________

Maxair Inhaler (pirbuterol acetate inhalation aerosol)

Audience: Pharmacists, distributors, and healthcare professionals

3M notified healthcare professionals of a voluntary recall of Maxair

Inhaler (pirbuterol acetate inhalation aerosol), press and breathe

metered dose inhalers. The possibility exists that a Maxair press and

breathe aerosol inhaler may stick intermittently and patients may not

receive the expected puff of medication. This recall does not affect

Maxair Autohaler (pirbuterol acetate inhalation aerosol), a

breath-actuated metered dose inhaler.

[May 6, 2002 Recall Notice: Pharmacists - 3M]

[May 6, 2002 Recall Notice: Distributors - 3M]

[May 6, 2002 Recall Notice: Managed Care - 3M]

Becki

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