Hospira Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of One Lot of Lidocaine HCl Injection, USP, 2%, 5 Ml in 5 Ml Vial, Due to Presence of Particulate Matter

AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Pharmacy, Anesthesiology

ISSUE: Hospira initiated a voluntary nationwide recall to the user level for one lot of Lidocaine HCl Injection, USP, 2%, 5 mL Single-Dose Vial (NDC 0409-2066-05), Lot 32-135-DD, expiration date 1AUG2015. The recall is due to a reddish orange particulate on the inner surface and floating in the solution.

If particulate goes undetected and solution is administered, the particle may potentially block the infusion of the solution to the patient, resulting in a delay in therapy. If smaller pieces of the particulate break off and become free floating within the solution, they may pass through the catheter into the patient, resulting in local inflammation or mechanical disruption of tissue. Chronically, following sequestration, local granuloma formulation is possible. In consideration of the reddish orange color of the particulate, if there is iron within the particle that is infused, it may put a patient at risk when undergoing MRI (strong magnetic field exposure), as the particle could potentially be dislodged and be pulled through tissue, causing local inflammation and tissue trauma.

BACKGROUND: The recalled lot was distributed to distributors/wholesalers, hospitals, and pharmacies located in AL, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NV, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, and WI between September 2013 through October 2013. Lidocaine is packaged 10 units per carton/180 units per case in single dose glass fliptop vials.

RECOMMENDATION: Anyone with an existing inventory should immediately stop use and quarantine any affected product and return the product to Stericycle. Hospira will be notifying its direct distributors/customers via a recall letter and will arrange for impacted product to be returned to Stericycle for returns processing. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-855-695-8596 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
Read the MedWatch safety alert including links to the press release at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm379751.htm