Recall for Anapen allergy emergency syringe

Recall: Allergy sufferers should emergency use „Anapen“ exchange urgently

05/06/2012

The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) has allergy sufferers before emergency syringes „Anapen“ warned and asked to do this „urgent“ exchange. The emergency syringe does not always develop the desired effect.

Many allergy sufferers carry an emergency syringe with them, in order to be able to react quickly in an emergency. Threatened by the allergic reaction anaphylactic shock, the syringe can save lives. As the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) announced, meets the emergency syringe „Anapen“ However, their purpose may not be and should therefore be urgently replaced with another medicine. „Affected are the drugs Anapen® 300 μg Adrenaline in 0.3 ml solution for injection, pre-filled syringe and Anapen® Junior 150 μg Adrenaline in 0.3 ml solution for injection, pre-filled syringe“, so the message of the BfArM.

Emergency syringe may not show the desired effect
In some allergic persons, the threatening reactions of the organism to contact with the allergens are so serious that in an emergency, action must be taken quickly to counteract a life-threatening anaphylactic shock. For this purpose, the so-called emergency syringes, such as the adrenaline auto-injector „Anapen“ thought. However, it does exist „For some batches of the products concerned, there is a risk that the adrenaline solution will not be delivered in sufficient quantities in the event of an anaphylactic emergency and that successful treatment of the shock condition will not be achieved“, reports the BfArM. With a so-called red hand letter the manufacturer had the „Anapen“-Emergency syringe, Lincoln Medical Limited, end of May a recall of the in Germany of the company Dr. med. Beckmann Pharma from Hamburg distributed drug launched. Until the allergic persons concerned have obtained a prescription for a corresponding substitute from their doctor and have received it in their pharmacy, they should still carry the old emergency syringes with them. It may also be necessary to have the doctor brief you on the proper handling of the replacement medicine.

Threatening anaphylactic shock
Anaphylactic shock is the most serious acute allergic reaction that can occur in contact with allergens such as insect venoms or food. Frequently the affected persons already show the first symptoms immediately after contact, such as skin irritations, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. In addition, an itchy rash often develops, accompanied by so-called nettle fever. Airway narrowing or difficulty in breathing are also more frequently part of the allergic reaction. In the further course of the blood pressure falls in anaphylactic shock massively, the circulation is impaired and it forms fluid collections in the tissue. The sufferers suffer massive circulatory problems to unconsciousness and the lack of circulation of vital organs can assume a potentially deadly extent. Due to the emergency syringe, such an escalation of the allergic reaction should be prevented at an early stage. (Fp)