Another blood thinner recall issued due to contaminated heparin

By Harvey Kirk
Posted March 25, 2008

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Following a nationwide Baxter heparin recall last month, another company has issued a blood thinner recall after it was discovered that their heparin may contain the same potentially dangerous contaminant. B. Braun Medical, Inc. issued a recall for 23 lots of heparin due to concerns that it could cause severe and potentially fatal allergic reactions.

The B. Braun blood thinner recall applies to Heparin Sodium in 5% Dextrose Injections and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection. The blood thinner was supplied by a plant in Changzhou, China, which is co-owned by Wisconsin-based Scientific Protein Laboratories, LLC. Heparin received from that same plant was used in the Baxter blood thinner, which has been associated with nearly 1,000 official reported cases of severe reactions and 19 deaths.

Heparin is a critical drug used during a variety of medical procedures. The blood thinner problems have been traced back to a counterfeit ingredient which came from the Chinese sources. Similar blood thinner recalls were issued in Germany and Japan in recent weeks.

The contaminant identified by the FDA, is known as over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate. It is a chemically altered version of chondroitin sulfate, which is made from animal cartilage and used as a dietary supplement. Using over-sulfated chondroitin sulfate as a substitute ingredient reduces the cost associated with making heparin, and the FDA is continuing to investigate the matter and why it was not detected by the manufacturers before being sold throughout the United States.

Symptoms of the allergic reactions associated with the contaminated blood thinner could include:

• Low Blood Pressure
• Shortness of Breath
• Nausea and Vomiting
• Diarrhea and Abdominal Pain

BLOOD THINNER RECALL LAWSUITS

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. are reviewing potential blood thinner lawsuits for individuals who suffered a severe reaction to heparin resulting in intensive medical care or death. To determine if problems may be related to the blood thinner recall, request a free consultation.