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


Gerald
I am taking injections of Peginterferon Allfa-2a for Hep c. I have blisters on bth arms and legs at the injection sites that turn into sores. These sores are very painful even to the touch of clothing, I’ve been to doctors to try to heal them, then I got an ergent message from Pegasys to stop the Triad Prep Pads and geat rid of any I had left. I was told of the recall. What do we do to protect our health and wellbeing? I am trying to live the best and most productive life I can with the problelm I have.

Rob S
So I’ve got a question. I understand alcohol doesn’t kill bacillus cereus, but I also know that it grows in organic matter. The only thing organic used to make isopropyl alcohol is petroleum. At what stage was other organic matter introduced? What did the bacteria grow in? Reduced number of factory employees didn’t allow time for proper sterilization and there was a build up of dirt? Dead skin cells? Tainted water? Dead mouse? Half a Philly cheese steak? Probably not the last one but it should be publicly addressed. http://www.triad-group.net/media/pdf/Recal_Facts.pdf I don’t think this covers it. Who does a voluntary recall and states that ONE potential case caused it all?

Tracy
I also have been using the triad alcohol wipes with my Copaxone. I did an injection on my right thigh. The next day the area had a huge red spot. Then after a few days it turned purple with a red line around the whole thing. It was shaped like the upper pennisula of Michigan. A month later it turned black . The black fell off a month after that and I had 1/2 inch deep indent in my thigh. I had a culture done and had 3 different infections in it. My doctor said they didn’t know why it had done this. I called shared solutions and they said it was a nicked vein and I had the depth too deep. Now I have a nasty scar that is about 6 inches long, 2 inches wide 1/2 inch deep. I received another shipment of copaxone on 1-25 -11 and there was still traid wipes in the box. WHY!!!!

Alyce
What I find really disheartening is that Shared Solutions calls all of the time to find out how you are doing and to check in on you. They call too much frankly. I have not heard from them this month. I got no notice from either the manufacturer of Copaxone and their Shared Solution service or from the Walgreens pharmacy where I get my meds. I stumbled across the recall from my google alerts feed for Copaxone and MS. Even when my husband picked up my most recent prescription last week, the pharmacist made no mention not to use the included alcohol swabs. How is this possible?!?!

Roy
I too have been using the Triad sterile alcohol prep pads. I too wondered if it contains alcohol, then why didn’t it kill the bacteria within the pad??? The companies which provided us with our medication and which included the alchol swabs should have infomred us about it. No responsibility there. I’ve been having problems with injeciton sites for months now, including bruisis that won’t heal very fast, and areas that were very painful afterwards, as if I had hit a major nerve site. Is it connected? I dunno, but I’m wondering now. I feel very disappointed in my medication provider now – if I can’t trust them to educate me in a timely manner regarding such an apparent minor thing like an alcohol swab, how can I trust them with something bigger, such as with the medication itself???

Dawna
I have MS, I also had a central line placed for medication, and would care. I I’m si careful not to get an infection. I went the hospital, I was a direct admit to ICU. I developed a infection that am Lost killed me. I developed large abscess in my arms and thighs , my sister is a doctor. I kept complaint how miserable I am, pain with draining the wounds /infections. We sometimes draw massive amounts of pus from these areas. We have to do this everyday. I was on antibiotics for over a month.at home, for 2 weeks in the hospital. I had developed sepsis and almost died, I thought I had become allergic to the needles.I was unaware of the recall until the pharmacy told me 2days ago when I picked up my injections. No other information given.

Trisha
I have just completed 11 months of treatment to beat Hepatitus C. I had to take an injection once a week during that time using these Triad prep pads. I have had and AM having the same reaction as Caron. SOme injection sites swelled up and looked almost like a boil. Plus thses itched constantly! I thought it was from the copegasus Ribavirin after building up for 11 months. But I am now finished with the treatments and STILL have massive sores now that seem to have ‘spread’, which would be strange if this were caused by Interferon. I have tried everything over the counter and prescribed by my physicials. Nothing has be able to stop the itching nor get these ‘spots’ to close and heal. May I assume, based on what I’ve read above, that this is not from the treatments I was on for 11 months, but more likely some infection that IO now have from exposure and use of the supplied Triad Prep Pads? I haven’t read all of the posts, but wonder if anyone else noticed how there’s also mirros what I have experienced? Ands if so, how did you get rid of this infection and finally heal? Thanks for any help or advice y’all can forward my way! BTW, None of my Doctors have been able to pin oint a cause, only have ruled out everything else but maybe a reaction to the Copegasys. Now, there may be a different source for this horrid skin condition that I have had for the past three months! Signed ‘Itching so much it’s driving me crazy!” – near Seattle – please HELP! -Trisha

rob
B. Cereus can form spores, which would not necessarily be killed by 70% alcohol. These spores can also resist heat very well too, so they can be nasty little buggers. Throw out the product.

Jacinthe
skin rash and I use them for face and skin desinfection!

ILENE
I USE THE SWABS FROM RELI-ON. ARE THEY ON RECALL ALSO?

Robert
Yesterday, my wife called me at work to tell me she was sick. If not for her usual greeting, I would not have recognized her voice. She has been using Copaxone for well over a year for MS along with the Triad swabs. I work closely with many physicians, so my first thought was some sort of strep infection (some of her symptoms also are the same as a strep infection). I have been monitoring her health for some time & continue to do so. Whatever you do, DO NOT IGNORE THIS RECALL!!!

Jen
I am a Type 1 Diabetic and use their swabs on a regular basis. Just found out about the recall last week. I had my blood drawn last week for my diabetes appt. today. My white blood cell count was through the roof. My doctor asked if I had an infection. I told him no, but then I remembered the recall.

Richard
I have been using Walgreens Swabs/with pain killer for some time. I have had various reactions where I do my injections and blood testing a total of 9 times per day.I have had inflamed sores, redness, swelling. I scratch and irritate the area and I end up putting a first aid oinment on it. Now I know why. Went to wallgreens and asked why they didn,t have any at the Pill counter and was told they were just out of them.WHY IN THE HELL DOESN”T SOMEONE PUT IT ON THE AIR!!!

Kia
I use the pads for my ms injections…was in the hospital for a relasp and they found a lot of bacteria in my blood and put me on a iv of antibiotics for two days the infections dept. Came and said the meds cleared it up but cvs just called me today about the recall so I need to go get my blood drawn and see if it came back

Nickiea
I am also a Copaxone user and get the prep wipes with my shipment. I have been having negative reactions at the injection site for months now, that were not explained by the injection itself. At first I never had a skin reaction and then all of a sudden I started having soreness, bruising and rashes. I kept asking my doctor and Shared solutions whether it was normal to have rashes and bruising, that never seem to go away, especially since I had nurse after nurse adjust the depth and site of injection. This explains so much. I have one spot currently that has been inflamed and sore for days. What the hell are we supposed to do about this? Most of us have been contaminating ourselves for months especially if you have ever hit a capillary or small vein. Here I am thinking I am sterilizing the surface and instead I am putting myself at risk.

Lisa
I was dx with MS in april 2010 and I swear since I started using copaxone and the wipes I was sicker now then I was before I was dx- I have had horrible skin rashes, hives, itching, and was beyond sick on January 11-13 and still continue with the itching….was there even alcohol in the swabs?

GARY
recently I have been getting very sick, and just finished with antibiotics, been using these pads for 2 years with my ms copaxone shots, been getting rashes and abdominal pains, still have sore throat for about 6 days, and flu like symtptoms just read letter today, have been very worried as well

george
for anyone who has gotten rash or other reaction, there’s a place to file report on the fda.gov site: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/medwatch-online.htm

jennifer
i also use triad alcohol for my ms injections(betaseron) my injections sites have been very sore and red spots that arent going away. Ive also had a more than average stomach/diarrhea issue the last few weeks. Im so worried. Also had blood work done dec 27th which was abnormal my doctor didn’t really seem to care.. And I ALSO ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS TODAY.I got a letter from curascript stating not to use them… its January20th????? this happened January 7th wtf

rick
like the other copaxone users i had a site reaction also. it went from a bruise to an open wound. my g.p. said it reminded him of a brown recluse spider bite. even though its healed it took over 2 months. theres an indentation in my arm now. at least i know what happened now.

TIONYA
COPAXONE USER TOO. DID ANYONE HAVE A TINGLING, NUMBING FEELING AT THEIR INJECTION SITE THAT BRUISED? MINE WAS JUST AT THE SITE AND IN THE NEAR AREA……NOT AN MS ISSUE AT ALL. IT LASTED FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I ASKED WALGREEN’S ABOUT THIS LESS THAN 3 WEEKS AGO AND THEY WEREN’T SURE WHAT IT WAS. I’M WONDERING IF IT WAS FROM THIS! I HAVE ALSO HAD AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF CHILLS OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THIS WEEK I STARTED BATTLING FLU SYMPTOMS. TIRED, WEAK AND THE BIG “D”. THAT PART DOESN’T SEEM TO BE LEAVING ANYTIME SOON ALL THIS IS VERY INTERESTING!

Jim
I use these swabs to inject insulin, I’ve been using them for awhile without any problem. My concern is with any potential infection in the future. This bacteria may lay dormant under the skin. VERY CONCERNED!!!!!!!!!

krystal
I also been using copaxone I was getting painful bruises and some times my injection would turn into a blister. Ive had bruises last almost a whole month. Especially on the stomach I made many calls to shared solution telling them my problem but every time they said I was not doing the right depth with the shot. This is very worrisome I mean isn’t alcohol pads suppose to kill things like bacteria. VERY STRANGE!

Marvin
My wife Sherry also has an infection in her belly were she takes shots for MS

Caron
I forgot to mention that I was using the Triad alchohol pads that were supplied in the box of injections I received every month. When I started getting these strange bruises/infections, I was lectured by my doctor and hospital about cleaning the site properly with the alchohol pads before each injection. What a JOKE!

Sandra
I have Triad Adhesive tape remover pads from your company are they in the recall also.

Caron
My story is similar to Vickie’s, used Copaxone (for MS). I’ve had atleast 3 infections in injection sites on my body. The worst one required visits to the wound center in a local hospital for months. It started as a very painful bruise, then all the layers of tissue died, and had to be cut out of the back of my arm. The healing process took forever because the MS medication interferes with your immune system. Now I’m left with a huge ugly scar.

Robert
Also use Copaxone and I have a scab now on my left hip after an injection there. It was a huge bruise that looked like someone gave me a good punch and has since dwindled down to the scab. Glad to now know what it was. I contacted my doctor to see if anything can be done.

Sonji
OMG,I HAVE BEEN USING THE TRAID ALCOHOL SWABS FOR SOME MONTHS NOW I USE THEM WHEN I TAKE MY M S SHOT AND I USE USE IT AFTER MY M S SHOT TO CLEAN THE AREA,IT IS SO SCARY NOW I HAD THE STREP THROAT,AND A RASH ON BOTH OF MY HANDS AND JUST THE OTHER DAY I HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM DUE TO MIGRAINE AND VOMITING AND CHILLS AND IM FEELIN A LITTLE BETTER NOW BUT I VOMIT AGAIN SINCE I’VE BEEN HOME IM STILL FEELIN A LITTLE NAUSA BUT THE DOCTOR PRESCRIBE ME PROMETHAZINE,HYDROCODON,IBUPROFEN,WHATS REALLY GOING ON IM SO SCARED.

Vickie
This explains the strange skin irratation/rash/scab I’ve had on my thigh for over two months. I use copaxone (MS Drug) that sent the Triad wipes with the prescription. After one of the daily injections, the area was red and swollen. A few days later I had red like bruising that was very sensitive to the touch. That scabbed over which seemed like over a month. That was a least 3 months ago and I still have a small scab on my thigh.

Stephen
I have recall alcolhol swabs from two different stores, and one is made in China and the other in USA.

tim
Hey R J: I just learned of this recall. Sure enough I’ve got a box of the recalled product. Boldly printed on each and every packet: MADE IN USA. Triad Group, Inc., 700 West North Shore Drive, Hartland, WI 53029 to be precise. Learn to read goon.

Ron
“Hartland, Wisconsin, Triad Group, a manufacturer of over-the-counter products” “These products were distributed in the United States, Canada and Europe.” Triad Group, Inc. 700 W. North Shore Drive Hartland, WI 53029 http://www.triad-group.net/ Ummm Not a Chinese distrbuter… You may want to move your comments to a more appropriate forum and keep your racial comments and stereo-types to yourself…

BLA
THe alcohol pads are made in the USA. They need to be commended for being proactive in addressing this issue and protecting people.

R J
Sad…did you buy them from China…shame on you…To all who read this…BUY ONLY PRODUCTS MADE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA….

Barb
Wouldn’t the alcohol kill any bacteria that the swab may have been exposed to??? That is the purpose of alcohol, right?

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