ReliOn Insulin Syringe Recall
On October 9, 2008 Covidien LP recalled ReiOn Insulin Syringes, 1cc, 31-gauge,100 units for use with U-100 Insulin. These are sterile, single use, disposable, hypodermic syringes with permanently affixed hypodermic needles. The FDA reports the lot number in question is 813900 and the product code is 38396-0403-02. The product in question was manufactured in June 2008 and sold from July through October 8, 2008 at Sam’s Club and Wal-Mart store pharmacies.
The reason for this product recall: some of the packages were mislabeled. Syringes that were meant for use with U-40 insulin were mixed with syringes labeled for use with U-100 insulin. The use of the mislabeled syringes could possibly result in patients receiving more than 2.5 times the intended dose of insulin which could lead to complications such as hypoglycemia (extremely low blood sugar) and other serious health consequences.
About 471,000 individual syringes in 4,710 boxes are affected by this recall. The FDA suggests patients who purchased these ReliOn syringes check the lot number on the packaging of the product and if it is the same as the one in the recall to not use them and to return it to your local Sam’s Club or Wal-Mart Pharmacy for a replacement.