AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Consumer

ISSUE: Hospira, Inc. notified healthcare professionals of a recall of one lot of Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Injection 1 MG/ML, due to reports of a single Carpuject containing more than the 1 mL labeled fill volume. Opioid pain medications such as Hydromorphone have life-threatening consequences if overdosed, including respiratory depression (slowed breathing or suspension of breathing), low blood pressure, and reduced heart rate including circulatory collapse.

The affected lot number is 07547LL, with an expiration date of July 1, 2013. The affected lot was distributed in September – October 2011. It was initially distributed to wholesalers and a limited number of hospitals in Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

BACKGROUND: The affected product is a prefilled glass cartridge for use with the Carpuject Syringe system.

RECOMMENDATION: Anyone with an existing inventory should stop use and distribution, quarantine the product immediately, and call Stericycle at 1-888-912-7093 to arrange for the return of the product. Replacement product from other lots is available. Customers can send their DEA 222 form to Hospira, 1635 Stone Ridge Drive, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 to order replacement product.

Consumers should contact their physician or health care provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this product.
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 a link to the updated Drug Safety Communication, at: