August 2018

SGLT2 Inhibitors for Diabetes: Rare Occurrences of a Serious Infection of the Genital Area

FDA is warning that cases of a rare but serious infection of the genitals and area around the genitals have been reported with the class of type 2 diabetes medicines called sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. This serious rare infection, called necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum, is also referred to as Fournier’s gangrene. We are requiring a new warning about this risk to be added to the prescribing information of all SGLT2 inhibitors and to the patient Medication Guide.

Accord Healthcare Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP 12.5 Mg Due to Labeling Mix-up

Accord Healthcare Inc. is voluntarily recalling One lot (Lot PW05264 – 46632 Bottles, NDC 16729-182-01) of Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP, 12.5 mg, to the consumer level.

A 100 count bottle of Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP 12.5 mg has been found to contain 100 Spironolactone Tablets USP 25 mg. Since the individual lot, PW05264, of the product is involved in a potential mix-up of labeling, Accord is recalling this individual lot from the market. Based on findings of both preliminary and interim investigations carried out at the manufacturing site, Accord believes that no other lots of Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets are involved in this mix-up. Accord became aware of this finding through a product complaint reported from a pharmacy.

Class 2 Device Recall AMIA Automated PD Cycler

Baxter Healthcare Corporation has issued a recall for the following power cords:

• AMIA Automated PD Cycler, Product Code: 5C9320
• Kaguya PD System, Product Code: T5C8500 

FDA updates on valsartan recalls

Investigation ongoing – statement to be updated as more information is available

FDA updates recalled valsartan-containing product information

Update [8/9/2018] FDA has updated the list of valsartan products under recall and the list of valsartan products notunder recall to incorporate recalls of valsartan-containing products manufactured by Hetero Labs Limited, in India, labeled as Camber Pharmaceuticals Inc. Not all Camber valsartan products distributed in the U.S. are being recalled.

Camber Pharmaceuticals is recalling certain valsartan tablets because they contain the impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). Hetero Labs manufactures the API for the Camber products using a process similar to Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals.

Test results from Hetero Labs show the amount of NDMA found in its valsartan API exceeds acceptable levels; although it is generally lower than the amount discovered in the API manufactured by Zhejiang.

FDA is testing samples of valsartan API and finished products to confirm the extent and amount of NDMA and help inform the ongoing investigation. The agency has also contacted other manufacturers of valsartan API to determine if their manufacturing processes are at risk for the formation of NDMA, and is working with them to ensure NDMA is not present in future valsartan API.

Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), and FDA is investigating whether other types of ARBs are at risk for the presence of NDMA.

Recalled valsartan products labeled as Camber may be repackaged by other companies. FDA will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Hepatitis Updates

The FDA recently approved revisions to the MAVYRET™ (glecaprevir and pibrentasvir) tablets label to include safety and efficacy data from the HCV/HIV-1 coinfection study (M14-730) and from the liver and renal transplant study (M13-596). A summary of the major revisions is provided.

Zithromax, Zmax (azithromycin): FDA Warning - Increased Risk of Cancer Relapse With Long-Term Use After Donor Stem Cell Transplant

FDA updates on valsartan recalls

AuroMedics Pharma LLC Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Piperacillin and Tazobactam for Injection 3.375 grams per vial, Due to Presence of Particulates Identified as Glass and Silicone Material

AuroMedics Pharma LLC is voluntarily recalling two lots of Piperacillin and Tazobactam for injection, USP 3.375 g (Piperacillin Sodium equivalent to 3 g of Piperacillin USP and Tazobactam Sodium equivalent to 0.375 g of Tazobactam USP. Each vial contains 7.05 mEq (162 mg) of Sodium) in a Single-Dose vial, to the hospital level. One vial from lot# PP0317012-A was found to contain particulate matter, identified as glass within the vial and another vial from lot# PP0317059-A was found to contain silicone material. This problem was discovered as a result of two product complaints in which the contents of one vial from batch PP0317012-A was found to contain a glass particle and the contents of one vial from batch PP0317059A was found to contain a silicone particle.