Parkinson's Treatment Recalled Because of Glass Particles

 Posted on July 20, 2013 in Drugs

At the end of June, medical drug manufacturer Fresenius Kabi issued a “voluntary, user-level product recall of 4 lots of benztropine mesylate injection,” according to ModernMedicine.com. The drug is used in several different types of Parkinson's therapy, in addition to the control of “extrapyramidal disorders due to neuroleptic drugs,” according to ModernMedicine. While no consumers have yet to file a suit against the company, the manufacturer recalled the product because of the risk that there were glass particles in the vials, which are injected into patients. Each vial is a 2mL single dose, meaning that several thousands of patients could be affected. “Customers who received the recalled vials are being notified and instructed to return any unused product to Fresenius Kabi USA,” according to ModernMedicine.com.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which monitors all product recalls in several different consumer areas, reports that the first ship date of any of the recalled vials was in May 2012. According to the FDA, “the administration of a glass particulate,” such as that which could be present in the recalled vials, “if present in a paranatal drug, poses a potential safety risk to patients.” These risks can be as dangerous as pulmonary emboli, a life-threatening condition. According to the FDA, “there have also been reports in the literature of particulate possibly causing phlebitis, mechanical lock of the capillaries or arterioles, activation of platelets, subsequent generation of microthrombi, and emboli.” Any patients with a preexisting medical condition (such as Parkinson's) would be at a greater risk for contracting one of these subsequent conditions possible because of vial contamination.

While this particular defect was described as visible, many patients may not be aware that they were put at risk after receiving this shot. If you or someone you know may be at risk because of this Fresenius Kabi recall, you may be eligible for compensation. Don't go through it alone. Contact a dedicated Illinois defective medical product attorney today.