Two recalls that may effect our reptile community were issued recently by the FDA. Metronidazole (Flagyl) and Triad alcohol products were both recalled.

First up, Teva's Metronidazole recalled for underweight tablets:

Underweight tablets may not contain the full amount of active ingredient within a single tablet, a consumer may not receive the prescribed dose. This may cause the infection the drug was intended to treat to worsen or recur, which could be life-threatening when treating severe infections. To date, Teva Pharmaceuticals, U.S.A. has not received any adverse events associated with the use of this product lot.

Wholesalers and retailers have been previously notified of this recall via overnight notification on 10/25/10 and are in the process of returning this product lot. Consumers who have lot 312566 in their possession are instructed to cease using the product and return it to their pharmacy. Wholesalers and retailers should cease distribution and examine their inventory immediately.

Next, Triad Alcohol Prep Pads, Alcohol Swabs, and Alcohol Swabsticks recalled due to microbial contamination:

Hartland, Wisconsin, Triad Group, a manufacturer of over-the-counter products has initiated a voluntary product recall involving ALL LOTS of ALCOHOL PREP PADS, ALCOHOL SWABS, and ALCOHOL SWABSTICKS manufactured by Triad Group but which are private labeled for many accounts to the consumer level. This recall involves those products marked as STERILE as well as non-sterile products. This recall has been initiated due to concerns from a customer about potential contamination of the products with an objectionable organism, namely Bacillus cereus. We are, out of an abundance of caution, recalling these lots to ensure that we are not the source of these contamination issues.

Use of contaminated Alcohol Prep Pads, Alcohol Swabs or Alcohol Swabsticks could lead to life-threatening infections, especially in at risk populations, including immune suppressed and surgical patients. To date we have received one report of a non-life-threatening skin infection.

Alcohol Prep Pads, Alcohol Swabs and Alcohol Swabsticks are used to disinfect prior to an injection. They were distributed nationwide to retail pharmacies and are packaged in individual packets and sold in retail pharmacies in a box of 100 packets. The affected Alcohol Prep Pads, Alcohol Swabs and Alcohol Swabsticks can be identified by either “Triad Group,” listed as the manufacturer, or the products are manufactured for a third party and use the names listed below in their packaging:
Cardinal Health
PSS Select
VersaPro
Boca/ Ultilet
Moore Medical
Walgreens
CVS
Conzellin

These products were distributed in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Each product has detailed instructions on what to do if you have them. Now I am off to call Triad.