ReliOn Insulin Syringe Recall: Sold at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club

Nearly half a million ReliOn Insulin Syringes sold at Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs throughout the United States have been recalled because some of the syringes could contain up to 2.5 times the appropriate dose. This could pose a substantial risk of a serious and potentially fatal insulin overdose.

 
The ReliOn Insulin Syringe recall applies to only one lot of syringes labeled as “ReliOn 1cc, 31-gauge syringes, 100 units for use with U-100 insulin”. The affected Lot Number is 813900.

The hypodermic syringes are single-use, disposable and sterile, with permanently affixed needles. They were distributed by the manufacturer to Wal-marts and Sam’s Clubs throughout the United States between August 1, 2008 and October 8, 2008.
 
The FDA posted a notice on their website yesterday notifying healthcare providers and consumers about the insulin syringe recall. The manufacturer, Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Covidien) has received at least one report of an adverse reaction caused by use of one of the defective syringes.

Receiving an insulin syringe with more than the indicated dose, could lead to a risk of an insulin overdose, possibly resulting in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) or even death. Symptoms of an insulin overdose could include anxiety, confusion, extreme hunger, irritability, sweating, tremors or trembling hands, increased pulse rate, irregular heart beat, headaches or nausea.

The FDA recall notice indicates that an undisclosed number of syringes intended for use with U-40 insulin were mixed with syringes intended for use with U-100 insulin. Although the syringes are packaged individually, they were then sold in boxes labeled as 100 units for use with U-100 insulin.

Tyco indicates that only one lot is impacted by the manufacturing problems with the insulin syringes. However, there were 471,000 syringes distributed as part of this lot, which were sold in 4,710 boxes.

All of the insulin syringes were manufactured by Tyco Healthcare Group LP, distributed Can-Am Care Corp and sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Clubs under the ReliOn Insulin Syringe brand name.

Walmart has sent letters to over 16,500 customers notifying them of the insulin syringe recall, and the FDA has asked all consumers and healthcare providers to carefully check any insulin syringes they have to make sure they are not impacted by this recall.

Recalled syringes can be returned to any Sam’s Club Pharmacy or local Wal-Mart store. However, lawyers who are investigating potential ReliOn Insulin Syringe recall lawsuits have recommended that any individuals who believe they may have suffered an adverse reaction caused by the defective syringes, should hold onto any remaining syringes if they intend to pursue legal action.

Any unused insulin syringes which are not returned to the store so that they can be preserved for lawsuit purposes, should be stored in a manner to prevent unintended future use of the product.