Hospira, Inc., one of the world's leading provider of injectable drugs and infusion technologies, and a global leader in biosimilars, has announced a voluntary recall of one lot of magnesium sulfate in 5% dextrose, inj., USP, 10 mg/mL (NDC: 0409-6727-23, Lot 42-120-JT, Expiry 1DEC2015) to the user level due to confirmed customer reports of an incorrect barcode on the primary bag labeling. The barcode on the overwrap is correct; however, there is potential for the primary container barcode to be mislabeled with the barcode for heparin sodium 2000 USP units/1000 mL in 0.9% sodium chloride inj. The product is labeled with the correct printed name on the primary container and overwrap.

If the incorrect barcode on magnesium sulfate in 5% dextrose, inj., USP, 10 mg/ mL is not detected prior to dispensing or administration to a patient, and the product is administered based on the printed name, patient harm is unlikely since the barcode on the overwrap and readable text on the primary container and overwrap are correct. However, if detected, there is the potential for delay in treatment of magnesium sulfate in 5% dextrose, that can result in life-threatening seizures, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage and maternal death, and attendant risks to the fetus, including fetal demise. Administration of the magnesium sulfate drug product to a patient who is prescribed heparin and in whom the magnesium sulfate is contraindicated can result in serious adverse events related to the drug’s pharmacologic action and may require medical intervention. Although serious in nature, the likelihood of this risk to occur is low due to the high detectability of this nonconformance. To date, Hospira has not received reports of any adverse events associated with this issue for this lot.

Magnesium sulfate in 5% dextrose injection, USP, is a prescription product administered intravenously for the prevention and control of seizures in preeclampsia and eclampsia, respectively. The product is packaged in 50/100 mL container bags and sold 24 bags per carton (NDC: 0409-6727-23, Lot 42-120-JT, Expiry 1DEC2015). The lot was distributed nationwide in the U.S. to wholesalers, distributers and hospitals from October 2014 to January 2015. Hospira has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause and corrective and preventive actions.

The company announced that anyone with an existing inventory of the recalled lot should stop use and distribution and quarantine the product immediately. Customers should notify all users in their facility. Customers who have further distributed the recalled product should notify any accounts or additional locations which may have received the recalled product and instruct them if they have redistributed the product to notify their accounts, locations or facilities to the consumer level. Hospira will be notifying its direct customers via a recall letter and is arranging for impacted product to be returned to Stericycle in the United States. For additional assistance, call Stericycle at 1-866-382-9260 between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. Patients should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to using this drug product.


Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.