Triad Group Alcohol Swab Recall: Risk of Microbial Contamination

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A possible risk of microbial contamination has resulted in the recall of Triad Group alcohol prep pads, swabs and swabsticks, which are sold under a variety of labels, including CVS and Walgreens brands. 

The alcohol swab recall was announced on Thursday by the FDA due to the possible contamination by Bacillus cereus. There has been one non-life-threatening skin infection reported that was linked to the contaminated swabs, but the manufacturer, Triad Group, warns that there is a risk of potentially life-threatening infections as well.

The swabs, prep pads and swabsticks are used to sterilize a patient’s skin prior to receiving an injection. If the products are contaminated, they could put bacteria on the skin which could then be pushed into the body by the needle or could cause a skin infection. In a press release, Triad Group said that the infections are most dangerous to patients in at-risk populations such as those with suppressed immune systems or surgical patients.

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The recall affects all lots of alcohol prep pads, alcohol swabs and alcohol swabsticks made by Triad Group and sold under either as Triad Group products, or under the following labels: Boca/Ultilet, Cardinal Health, Conzellin, CVS, Moore Medical, PSS Select, VersaPro and Walgreens. They were distributed in the U.S., Canada and Europe to retail pharmacies and are packaged in individual packets and sold in boxes of 100 packets.

Bacillus cereus is responsible for about two percent of all foodborne illness, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Illness comes within 24 hours after exposure and can result in a diarrheal illness. Serious illness and permanent injury are very rare.

Wholesalers, hospitals and retail pharmacies have been notified by the company with instructions on returning the product. Consumers who have any of the recalled alcohol swabs, prep pads or swabsticks should not use them, and should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. Customers with questions should call Triad Group Customer Service at 1-262-538-2900.


86 Comments


Dennis
Back in 2011 I used the Swab , I got infected the skin redden , blistered like a burn then started to fall of when I went to a Hospital the doctor told me I had Diabeties in my foot , i told him about the swab and asked for a test he said no it’s diabeties and has to be removed , I seen someone elde and asked for a test he performed a MRI and there was no sign of Diabeties , I was given a antibiotic and sent home , as of today my foot is still bad ,

Nancy
I am a Nurse and have been on Copaxone for 13+ years. In December 2011 i experienced a serious skin reaction that initially looked like a bad bruise, turned purple then black. Eventually formed what looked like a scab but was actually eschar. I have had 3 debridements to remove dead tissue and now i am left a numb arm (from nerve damage) and a nasty scar. I have not worked for 2 months due to pain, multiple medical appointments and drug induced Hepititis.(from abx, pain meds, lyrica, vitamins and tylenol.) There are 2 other patients who are getting wound treatment for the same symptom caused from Copaxone but do not want to talk because they dont want to go off the med. By the way…..I use clean skin right after a shower and DO NOT use alcohol pads. TEVA did tell me there have been some skin necrosis cases but nothing more. I am looking for otheres to speak to re;similar symptoms. Maybe create a group on Facebook?

Deborah
Not sure but would this contamination be with the Reli on Swabs with pain relief sold at Walmart. I been using them for a while you have me scared. Should I stop. Please respond asap.

Edward
I was receiving injections for several months and in january when I used the pads provided in my medication shippment, after the injection I thought I was on fire. I then got these horribble blisters that itched like nothing else i have every had. They spread and then became open soars which wouldn’t heal. Went to doctors and specials to no avail. I know have scaring from this. It still reappears at times. It is now believed it interfeared with my injections for Hepc and went from a 53 viral load to over 3 million. We don’t know what to do… We had used 2 prior to be notified by anyone that they could be tainted. Thats sad…

Dennis
I used this product about 4 months ago been sorry for it ever since , I walked on a staple driving it into my foot I used the swab to clean the area the next morning my foot was covered in water blisters ( like a burn ) another day went by and the blisters started to peel exposing the bone in one toe and layer’s of skin from the bottom of my foot , so over the last 4 months I’ve been running back and forth to the hospital for bandage changes and cleaning twice a week plus two different antibiotics , the hospital is 35 miles away ,,

Angela
I have MS and used the swabs that came with my Copaxone injections. In mid-November I suddenly became very sick after feeling strong, healthy, and active for some time. I was so weak that I was in bed for a week with a constant fever of 102 even while alternating Tylenol and Ibuprofen. I had a bad sore throat that I thought was strep but the test was negative, headaches, some vomiting, and couldn’t eat much for a week. First the doctors thought it was viral, but after not getting well or improving after a week, they gave me antibiotics and I got better. I have had Hepatitis A before with complete exhaustion and this was very reminiscent of that to me.

E. C. Cornell
I will buy ReliOn Alcohol Swabs with Pain Relief from anyone who still has their box because my insulin injections are painful. I have tried several benzocaine creams, ointments and even oral pain relief, but only the Reli-on pads provide a true numbing effect.

moonlightmagik
Ah, duh they were made here, NOT China!

carol
I have type 1 diabetes and I use thes alcohol pads also. I have has some soreness around the area I clean before injection. I sometimes last 2-3 days. I purchased 3 boxes of pads and did not know they were recalled and I am concerned about my health.

dianne
am on interferon and have used wipes, have got an infection in one of my injection sites that is so painful and seems to be getting worse from the inside of my tummy, antibiotics arent working nor the cream. Have felt so ill for so long now. Am not having the itching that everyone talks about but i think thats with MS sufferers, i have melanoma , not sure if that makes any differance. Hope yu all get better soon .

Renee
A rebuttal to Peter who stated that Triad makes BD Alcohol Swabs…I just got off the phone with both Triad and BD. Triad confirmed they have no affiliation with nor do they distribute anything for BD Consumer Healthcare. BD Consumer Healthcare confirmed that their alcohol swabs are NOT part of the recall, pose no threat whatsoever, and are manufactured and distributed ONLY by Becton Dickinson and Co. BD alcohol swabs are totally safe to use. I’ve been using them for a few years now and have never had any problem with them at all. BD alcohol swabs are in short supply right now; my mail order pharmacy Medco is totally out of them until further notice. I did, however, find some on eBay that are fresh, not seconds or rejects, and the seller is a reputable pharmacy. 100ct for less than $3.00. I hope everyone feels better. Oh, BTW, BD alcohol swabs are labelled “Made in USA” for those of you who only buy American and who don’t think America sucks.

linda
on feb,11 2011 i wrote about my daughter who has ms and has had a lot of problems since August of 2010, she is still having problems and since then she has developed an eye infection that seems to linger on even after being treated. still no real answer as to why she has been so sick, and her neurologist told her that these symptons are not ms! still not able to eat much and lots of weight loss.are the prep pads causing all this?

Terry
I have been using copaxone for my ms therapy since 2000. it is sad to think that Triad would be so reckless. I have had several of the complications listed in the articles I have read. I worry about the long term and permanent problems. I have been on the therapy for 11 years.

Stephanie
I too have MS and have been taking Copaxone since my dx 8 years ago. I have had site reactions such as swelling, redness, piting of my skin, itchiness….About 24 hours after an injection in my hip, I began to experience burning and pain in my hip. When I checked the site, I had developed a half-dollar size deep purple spot that was surrounded by a lighter purple colored ring. The darkest part, the center became raised and warm to the touch….never a good sign. I became rather alarmed since it was my guess that I had an infection. My gp confirmed this and put me on a cycle of cipro. It is 2 weeks later and the spot has shrunk but the center is now a gray color and numb. I am concerned that this spot is dead skin and that what will be left is a disgusting scar. Taking Copaxone is challenging enough but this really makes it much worse.

Hellen
I just purchased a box of alcohol prep swabs from CVS pharmacy, are they safe? Has all the contaminated products been removed from stores by now?

SamCat
Did I miss the answer to the first post. Are these not self steralizing? Also, I still have some in my posession I am using. It explains much. I am fair skin, thought it was just from that. Will pursue more comments later. Apology if spelling is bad. Do not wish to be stereotyped. Not the place.

Dawn
Today, 03/10/2011 I found out about the recall, by accident! I have been administering my Copaxone shot daily with the enclosed Triad alcohol wipes ever since I began using Copaxone (2007.) Last night was the last time I used the alcohol wipe and the new box of Copaxone that I picked up from the pharmacy was on 02/26/2011. There are no words for me to properly express my frustration. My injection sites started hurting more and I didn’t know why, this coupled with nausea and headaches, dry heaves (pardon me) stomach issues x10, has been more than disconcerting. Now I need to contact Rite Aid’s corporate office and ask them if they are aware that they are dispensing a product that contains a recalled product within it and what is their protocol for such an occurence. I would love it if someone were to tell me I now have the “new” product and what I received was not part of the recall but I fear this is not the case. I have been living on Pepto and this is really upsetting.

Lisa
My husband has been using Triad Adhesive removers on his ostomy site are they safe or in the recall also?

Shannon
I have been using these alcohol swabs for over a year off and on. I don’t use them for injections but to clean my face after work. For almost a year I have been getting a rash around my stomach and chest. I have a couple of pads left from my third or fourth box I purchased. I went to see my doctor a few months ago about the rash and she said it looked like a fungus type rash and prescribed an anti fungal cream. The cream made it go away for awhile but the rash kept coming back. I never stopped using the alcohol pads because I thought they were safe and didn’t know where the rash was coming from. I thought the rash could be from the the six fish oil pills I take a day for high cholesterol. I started using them both around the same time, now that I think about it. I just thought the fish oil was causing the rash. I never thought it could be the alcohol swabs. Can you please tell me if this is one of the symptoms and what I can do to make sure I didn’t get permanent damaged from these possibly infected swabs??? Thanks, Shannon

Shannon
Alcohol is not effective against bacillus spores

velma
Another day of my stomach hurting, UTI, earache, red face, breathing difficulties, irritability, Copaxone user, MS & have a compromised immune system. Wondering the effects on bones and joints, spinal cord, central nervous system liver, heart lungs, is death imminent?

kelly
my son is suffering from this right now, went in and got childhood immunizations and 2.5 months later wound wont heal and has puss oozing out… Doctors kept saying its normal to have a reaction to shots… well they arent saying that any longer…

cynthia
I have ms and i’ve been using the pads also but I had to have surgery on my back last June and after that I started clawing myself and then we started noticing the right side of my stomach and I started looking like somebody deform.I went to my ms doctor and they let me know ms don’t work that way.So then the stomach doctor and still nothing.So now went to family doctor for a checkup and I had real bad bacteria in my bladder so now i’m having to go for ultrasound to see what it shows. When I said the right side of my stomach don;t look right it looks flat with the skin hanging and the left side is right.And I used the pads and notice places BUT who would think about a bacteria in your alcohol..

AELEIS
I AM A OWNER OF A 2004 CHRYSLER SEBRING WHICH IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. 2 YEARS AGO I BEGIN TO HAVE ENGINE ISSUES. NOW AS OF 5 MONTHS, I CONTINUE TO PAY FOR A CAR WITH A BAD MOTOR(2.7) AND THE CAR CAN’T BE DRIVEN. CHRYSLER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A MOTOR THAT WASN’T OF QUALITY AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

Cathy
Ive been using them on my newborn sons belly button. 🙁 I bought mine at target. Theyre the up & up brand.

tjd
Sue: Did you ever find out any more information about pseudomonas? After a procedure at my ob/gyn, where they used a Triad swab, I developed a pseudomonas infection and was hospitalized for 8 days.

eric
My 19 month old daughter developed bacterial meningitis November, 2010. We almost lost her. She had seizures, fevere, etc. She was comatized for nine days. She now has a shunt and can’t walk, crawl, etc. She has to relearn everything. Hopefully she will be able to. She has never been sick before this, not even an ear infection. One week before she was diagnosed she got a flu shot. Immediantly after the shot she had diarrhea, low grade fever, etc. How do I find out if she contracted this infection from the alcohol swab? I know we could call the pediatrician office and ask if the Triad swabs were used, but we are afraid they will not tell us.

Alicia
I’ve been using the recalled insertion trays, alcohol swabs and sterile lubricating jelly…like all of you I have also had issues this past year. In 2010 I was on antibiotics six times, went to a dermatologist, a wound clinic and urgent care. I had 2 cultures taken one was from a rash on my hand that was seeping the other urine culture. Maybe I should back track and find out what type of bacteria was found!!!!

Velma
MSer/Copaxone user…compromised immune system. Gained over 20 pounds in fluid, earache, flu like symptoms, crippling migraines, nausea that felt like violent appendicitis attack…..led me to ER, where I was prescribed: PROMETHAZINE, an intravenous MORPHINE Injection, and HYOSCYAMINE. That was six weeks ago and ALL symptoms are still there. Serious concern for my longterm health and afraid I am gonna die. This OKIE wants answers, out of pain and shutdown of Triad factory, of course after we find out what we were actually contaminated with.

Stephanie
Yeah I have been using them too and the side of my leg has been itching like crazy I have been itching so bad I have a humungus bruise on my leg ….. Going to the doctor I better be getting refunded for this!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elizabeth
I am diabetic. I have a box of Triad Alcohol Swabs I purchashed at Rite Aid. In 9/2009 somehow I contracted sepsis and landed in the hospital. It was a very scary time. I also has surgery a little over a year ago. Currently I have “MRSA”, I am going to ask for some blood testing to be done to find out exactly what bacteria is in my system. I feel like an 80 yr old woman. I am also fastidious about hand washing and germs etc. because I am diabetic. Always so careful…. so to have had these things happen is devastating. I am not returning my swabs to the store. I might have them tested at an independant lab. I just wonder if it’s all connected. I don’t really believe in coincidences. Unreal.

april
i had surgery at the end of 2007 the following day i fell ill with severe vomiting and diarrhea much to the bewilderment of hospital staff and now i’m wondering if this was the cause

True
I have been using be alcohol wipes every day for the past nine months I have had sosmach flu symbols and weird infections on my eyes and face

linda
my daughter has ms, she takes copaxone shots daily and uses the Triad Alcohol preps,she has been sick since Aug. of 2010, been to doctors, had test and scans but still no better because it seems they cannot find what is wrong. she has headaches, nausea, stomach pains,cannot eat bvecause her stomach hurts so bad, she is loosing weight,says she is about ready to give up.

ashley
i have ms and have been takeing copaxon after two hours i got a horbail rash all over and when i did the shot it was so pain full i cryed. i called shared solutions they told me i was alergic to it i stoped the shots and had a relapse that lasted a week that was so bad i had to go to the hospital. then i get this paper in the mail saying the alchol pads were recalled. so i started up on the shots agein without the alchol just soap and water….no rash a very little pain hmmmmmm now what should i do? if i have another leasion (witch i only have on my spine and they cause me a great deal of pain) because of the relapse shouldent i sue or something? i mean ms isent a joke and neiter or the leasions im so aggervated that an alchol pad can do this

DANIEL
I HAVE USED THIS PRODUCT ONLY BRIEFLY. I have redness and serious dry skin. I still have the product that was included in COPAXONE injection box.Any suggestions?

peter
I just came to know about the recall. Do not use any products made by Triad as they are subpotent and contaminated. Triad’s own micro and q.c. tests are a joke. The company is very dirty and filthy. Poor hygiene. Employees are temps. Machines are not washed. E. Hurtle, D. Hurtle and a sisiter, are greedy and are aware of these problems for years. They make “contaminated” enemas. Hemmrhoid pads, PVP and alcohol swabs sold under Walgreens, BD etc. names also. Jelly, alcohol swabs fail micro tests prior to sterilization. To the enema they add bleach so micro tests pass.

Bobby
I have MS and have been using the triad alcohol pads with my injections, and I broke out with a very serious rash that has lasted for more than two weeks. It was so bad that I had to go to the emergency room last Saturday, 2/12/11 and get a shot, given some steroids, and given two seperate prescriptions. The infection did not go away until I saw these arcticles and stopped using the pads. The is just ridiculous. It’s not bad enough to have to deal with MS, but then to have the burden of getting a bacterial skin infection is just CRAZY!!!!

Tom
Do NOT buy anything made in America…..total trash.

Lana
My problems started 3/08 . I had an infection in the liining of my stomach,after many tests, doctors visits, and being on antibiotics many times, i finally hope i’m on the road to recovery. I was so miserable,couldn’t eat or sleep, i was in so much pain it was horrible. I also gained 45lbs. of bloat. I have now lost it and it feels great. I’m just wondering if using the alcohol swabs was what caused all this? I think it was.

Dan
This potentially raises the stakes – “Family blames son’s death on alcohol swabs” – http://weareaustin.com/fulltext?nxd_id=122256 . They blame the swabs used to clean their 2-year-old’s spinal drain for a fatal spinal menengitis infection.

Lynda
What should we use to clean site now? I have a 12 year daughter with type 1 diabetes. She gets injected every three days and a few months ago she had gotten an absest on one of her sites could this be related?

joane
How do you determine which prep pads are inthe recall? I bought my prep pads about a year ago so i wonder if its included..I used it a lot on my son and i have been worried about his lips /wc have been bleeding a lot and are so dry, oarched and seem to be like potholes.

Karl
I use Triad pads for glucose testing and interfuron injections; two different colors blue/red. I have had skin irritations and severe itching along arms, lateral sides of legs (to the hip) and extreme cases around my ankles, for about 5 months. The scabbing will not go away and in the morning I have new scabbing where I have scratched during the night. Is there an antibiotic that will get rid of this? If so, which one?

Pam
I too had this rash, mine started months ago (like Oct-10), I went to the dr. several times but he could not tell what the rash was. it was itchy with white spots and red rash, he gave me a cream that helped the rash but did not know what it was. So about three weeks forward I returned to the dr. he said it looked like an infection under my skin and put me on antibiotics for 10days. Felt better, but rash did not totally go away and it returned with new areas of red itchy rash that made me feel like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. Continued to get worse, and skin felt terrible, I was very tired and irritable and just didn’t feel good. I knew nothing of this recall until I called regarding my meds and heard this message about the wipes being recalled. Well that explains my situation. Rash so bad I went to a dermatologist who said more than likey it was this rash and put me on antibiotics for 1 month, gave me a Rx for cream, another special cream to use and I was told to take a very warm bath with 1/2 cup bleach and soak, then shower, pat dry and apply cream and come back in one month. After taking the antibiotics my skin felt a lot better.

Lonnie
I’m diabetic and have been looking for alcohol swabs for a few weeks now. This is the first I’ve seen or heard the reason for the recall. Ok now, I understand the recall is for Triad products, I have used them in the past, as most of us have. I was wondering if B.D swabs are included in that recall? Thanks for the info.

sue
Hi my husband uses interferon for his hep C, got a letter stating triad pads have been recalled this happened in jan 2011 its now feb why is this allowed to happen. He has been seriously ill since late december vomiting diorehea, then chronic constipation also the bruising on the injection site and scabs rashes all over back and neck. He has been complaining of how ill he has been feeling to specailist for well over six weeks and no one has mentioned this issue !!! appauling.

sue
does anyone remember when the recall first came out they said the bacteria was pseudomona aerugnosa if you remember this please get in touch thank you

Talitha
My 11 yr old son is a diabetic and has been using these swabs since he was diagnosed in October of 2009. I have noticed lately that his shots seem to hurt more when given, and also he has quiet a bit of bruising at the injection site. He has also been sick a lot recently, I thought it was because of his compromised immune system and the weather. I just wish the company would give more information about the 1 case they based this all on so we would know what to expect.

Linda
I have been using these pads with my Betaseron injections. Since Dec. 28, I have had two injection site infections on my abdomen. I am on my third round of antibiotics. The first healed fairly quickly. The second infection started about a week after the first, accompanied by a great deal of pain and hardness around the area. It hurt even when not touched. I’ve been to my family doctor four times and a dermatologist, who basically did nothing. I am finally debriding the wound myself (at my GP’s suggestion) to remove the necrotic skin. It is finally looking better, but the pain is still present although it’s now bearable. A heating pad seems to help somewhat. I am sooooo tired of this!!!

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