Vancomycin IV Bags Phenylephrine IV Bags and Fentanyl IV Bags by Leiters Health Recall Due to Potential for Superpotent Drug

TOPIC: Vancomycin IV Bags, Phenylephrine IV Bags, and Fentanyl IV Bags by Leiters Health: Recall - Due to Potential for Superpotent Drug

AUDIENCE: Patient, Health Professional, Risk Manager, Pharmacy

ISSUE: Leiters Health is recalling 33 lots of vancomycin IV bags, phenylephrine IV bags, and fentanyl IV bags due to the potential for superpotency because they may contain twice the labeled amount of drug.  The semi-automated IV bag filling equipment used to fill the recalled batches may not eject the IV bags properly when compressed air tanks become low or a leak was detected, causing the recalled IV bags to be dosed twice.

Risk Statement: There is a reasonable probability that the use of the defective vancomycin and fentanyl IV bags will be associated with life-threatening adverse events. Administration of vancomycin at twice the infusion rate has been associated with low blood pressure, including shock and cardiac arrest, as well as wheezing, shortness of breath, hives, itchy skin and skin redness. Also, overdosing of vancomycin may be associated with acute kidney injury and ototoxicity. Administration of higher doses of fentanyl than intended can result in profound respiratory depression, which may not automatically be mitigated and treated, resulting in potential for delay in care and serious adverse outcomes from hypoxia, including permanent neurologic sequelae and death. In addition to respiratory depression, fentanyl can cause serious cardiac adverse events, such as hypotension, bradycardia, and vasodilation resulting in decrease in cardiac output and cardiac arrest. In addition, administration of a higher dose of phenylephrine than intended may cause higher-than-intended blood pressures in some patients.
The products were distributed nationwide to hospitals for administration in the hospital.
To date, Leiters Health has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.
For more information about this recall, click on "Read the Full Recall" below.

BACKGROUND: 
1. Fentanyl is an analgesic packaged in an IV bag under codes F3355 and F3342. Phenylephrine is used for perioperative hypotension, hypotension during anesthesia, and shock and is packaged in an IV bag under codes F3360 and F3352.
2. Vancomycin is used for endocarditis and staphylococcal infections and is packaged in an IV bag under codes F3206 and F3208.

RECOMMENDATIONS: 
1. Patients should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using these drug products. 
2. Leiters Health is arranging for a credit for all recalled products. Customers that have product which is being recalled should cease using it and return it to Leiters Health.
3. Customers will receive return shipping labels for phenylephrine and vancomycin returns via email from Leiters Health to return their products to Leiters Health. Customers will receive return shipping labels, along with a DEA Form 222, for fentanyl returns via mail from Leiters Health to return their products to Leiters Health at 13796 Compark Blvd., Englewood, CO 80112.
4. Patients with questions regarding this recall can contact Leiters Health by phone at 1-800-292-6772 or e-mail at [email protected].

Health 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:
1.Complete and submit the report online.
2. Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

Read the Full Recall.