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Aristocort FDA Alerts

The FDA Alerts below may be specifically about Aristocort or relate to a group or class of drugs which include Aristocort.

MedWatch Safety Alerts are distributed by the FDA and published by Drugs.com. Following is a list of possible medication recalls, market withdrawals, alerts and warnings.

Recent FDA Alerts for Aristocort

Epidural Corticosteroid Injection: Drug Safety Communication - Risk of Rare But Serious Neurologic Problems

Apr 23, 2014 | Audience: Pain Management, Anesthesiology

Including methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone, triamcinolone, betamethasone, and dexamethasone

[Posted 04/23/2014]

ISSUE: FDA is warning that injection of corticosteroids into the epidural space of the spine may result in rare but serious adverse events, including loss of vision, stroke, paralysis, and death. The injections are given to treat neck and back pain, and radiating pain in the arms and legs. The effectiveness and safety of epidural administration of corticosteroids have not been established, and FDA has not approved corticosteroids for this use. 

FDA is requiring the addition of a Warning to the drug labels of injectable corticosteroids to describe these risks.

BACKGROUND: To raise awareness of the risks of epidural corticosteroid injections in the medical community, FDA’s Safe Use Initiative convened a panel of experts, including pain management experts to help define the techniques for such injections which would reduce preventable harm. The expert panel’s recommendations will be released when they are finalized. FDA will convene an Advisory Committee meeting of external experts in late 2014 to discuss the benefits and risks of epidural corticosteroid injections and to determine if further FDA actions are needed.

RECOMMENDATION: Patients should discuss the benefits and risks of epidural corticosteroid injections with their health care professionals, along with the benefits and risks associated with other possible treatments. See the Drug Safety Communication for a Data Summary and additional information for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

[04/23/2014 - Drug Safety Communication - FDA]
 

Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

Oct 24, 2012 | Audience: Pharmacists, Risk Managers, Pain Medicine

[UPDATE 10/24/2012]  The updated list of customers (consignees) who were shipped product on or after May 21, 2012 from the New England Compounding Center’s (NECC) Framingham, MA facility is now posted at the FDA website. The technical problems with the previous list have been corrected.

You can obtain information about the outbreak by calling the FDA’s Division of Drug Information line at 855-543-DRUG (3784) or send an email to druginfo@fda.hhs.gov.

 

FDA provides NECC Customer List 

[UPDATE 10/22/2012] FDA is making available two lists of customers (consignees) who received products that were shipped on or after May 21, 2012 from New England Compounding Center’s Framingham, MA facility. The first list includes customer names and addresses, organized by state. The second list contains the same basic information as the first list, but is organized alphabetically by customer name and also includes the specific products shipped, the quantities of product shipped, and the shipping date. The lists were prepared based on information provided by NECC, and FDA cannot vouch for the completeness or accuracy of the lists. Products shipped by NECC may be missing from the list and facility information may be incomplete. Nevertheless, this is the best information we have available, at this time, to help inform facilities and healthcare providers of NECC products shipped to their facilities since May 21, 2012.

FDA is reiterating and updating its previous recommendation that follow-up with patients be done when the following three conditions are met:

  • The medication was an injectable product purchased from or produced by NECC, including an ophthalmic drug that is injectable or used in conjunction with eye surgery, or a cardioplegic solution,
  • The medication was shipped by NECC on or after May 21, 2012, and
  • The medication was administered to patients on or after May 21, 2012.

Since the May 21, 2012 date is the date the first of three lots of methylprednisolone acetate implicated in the current outbreak was produced, products produced and shipped by NECC on or after May 21, 2012 are believed at this time to be of greatest risk of contamination. Now that we have shipping information available, we are updating FDA’s recommendation to health care providers so that they can focus their attention on following up with the patients who are believed to be at greatest risk of receiving a contaminated product.

 

FDA Statement on Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Additional Patient Notification Advised 

[UPDATE 10/18/2012] CDC and FDA have confirmed the presence of a fungus known as Exserohilum rostratum in unopened medication vials of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) from one of the three implicated lots from NECC (Lot #08102012@51, BUD 2/6/2013).  The laboratory confirmation further links steroid injections from these lots from NECC to the multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis and joint infections.  Testing on the other two implicated lots of methylprednisolone acetate and other NECC injectables continues. 

CDC and state health departments estimate that approximately 14,000 patients may have received injections with medication from three implicated lots of methylprednisolone and nearly 97% of these patients have been contacted for further follow-up. 

There is now available a Patient Notification Letter on the FDA "Update on Fungal Meningitis" webpage under the "Related Information" section. This letter template is for healthcare professionals notifying patients administered a drug produced by the New England Compounding Center (NECC) that has been recalled.

 

[UPDATE 10/16/2012] On 10/15/12 the health care facility notified CDC that the initial report of two transplant patients has been revised to one patient who received cardioplegia solution from NECC. The 10/15/12 statement has been revised to reflect this information.

 

[Posted 10/15/2012]

ISSUE: As a result of the ongoing investigation of New England Compounding Center (NECC), a patient with possible meningitis potentially associated with epidural injection of an additional NECC product, triamcinolone acetonide, has been identified through active surveillance and reported to FDA. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of steroid injectable product made by NECC. The cases of meningitis identified to date have been associated with methylprednisolone acetate, another similar steroid injectable product.

In addition, two transplant patients with Aspergillus fumigatus infection who were administered NECC cardioplegic solution during surgery have been reported. Investigation of these patients is ongoing; and there may be other explanations for their Aspergillus infection. Cardioplegic solution is used to induce cardiac muscle paralysis during open heart surgery to prevent injury to the heart.

BACKGROUND: On October 4, the FDA advised providers to not use any NECC products.  On October 6, NECC announced a recall of all its products. See the complete list of all products subject to this recall. The FDA had previously issued guidance for medical professionals that all products distributed by NECC should be retained, secured, and withheld from use.

RECOMMENDATION: FDA advises healthcare professionals that if you administered an NECC injectable product to a patient after May 21, 2012, including an ophthalmic drug that is injectable or used in conjunction with eye surgery or a cardioplegic solution, you follow-up with that patient. Healthcare professionals and medical care organizations should inform patients who received the NECC products noted above of the symptoms of possible infection and instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience any of these symptoms.

FDA advises healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Healthcare professionals may dial FDA’s Drug Information Line at 855-543-DRUG (3784) and press * to get the most recent information regarding the meningitis recall and speak directly to a pharmacist.
 

Fungal Meningitis Outbreak

Oct 22, 2012 | Audience: Pharmacists, Risk Managers, Pain Medicine

FDA provides NECC Customer List 

[UPDATE 10/22/2012] FDA is making available two lists of customers (consignees) who received products that were shipped on or after May 21, 2012 from New England Compounding Center’s Framingham, MA facility. The first list includes customer names and addresses, organized by state. The second list contains the same basic information as the first list, but is organized alphabetically by customer name and also includes the specific products shipped, the quantities of product shipped, and the shipping date. The lists were prepared based on information provided by NECC, and FDA cannot vouch for the completeness or accuracy of the lists. Products shipped by NECC may be missing from the list and facility information may be incomplete. Nevertheless, this is the best information we have available, at this time, to help inform facilities and healthcare providers of NECC products shipped to their facilities since May 21, 2012.

FDA is reiterating and updating its previous recommendation that follow-up with patients be done when the following three conditions are met:

  • The medication was an injectable product purchased from or produced by NECC, including an ophthalmic drug that is injectable or used in conjunction with eye surgery, or a cardioplegic solution,
  • The medication was shipped by NECC on or after May 21, 2012, and
  • The medication was administered to patients on or after May 21, 2012.

Since the May 21, 2012 date is the date the first of three lots of methylprednisolone acetate implicated in the current outbreak was produced, products produced and shipped by NECC on or after May 21, 2012 are believed at this time to be of greatest risk of contamination. Now that we have shipping information available, we are updating FDA’s recommendation to health care providers so that they can focus their attention on following up with the patients who are believed to be at greatest risk of receiving a contaminated product.

 

FDA Statement on Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Additional Patient Notification Advised 

[UPDATE 10/18/2012] CDC and FDA have confirmed the presence of a fungus known as Exserohilum rostratum in unopened medication vials of preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate (80mg/ml) from one of the three implicated lots from NECC (Lot #08102012@51, BUD 2/6/2013).  The laboratory confirmation further links steroid injections from these lots from NECC to the multistate outbreak of fungal meningitis and joint infections.  Testing on the other two implicated lots of methylprednisolone acetate and other NECC injectables continues. 

CDC and state health departments estimate that approximately 14,000 patients may have received injections with medication from three implicated lots of methylprednisolone and nearly 97% of these patients have been contacted for further follow-up. 

There is now available a Patient Notification Letter on the FDA "Update on Fungal Meningitis" webpage under the "Related Information" section. This letter template is for healthcare professionals notifying patients administered a drug produced by the New England Compounding Center (NECC) that has been recalled.

 

[UPDATE 10/16/2012] On 10/15/12 the health care facility notified CDC that the initial report of two transplant patients has been revised to one patient who received cardioplegia solution from NECC. The 10/15/12 statement has been revised to reflect this information.

 

[Posted 10/15/2012]

ISSUE: As a result of the ongoing investigation of New England Compounding Center (NECC), a patient with possible meningitis potentially associated with epidural injection of an additional NECC product, triamcinolone acetonide, has been identified through active surveillance and reported to FDA. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of steroid injectable product made by NECC. The cases of meningitis identified to date have been associated with methylprednisolone acetate, another similar steroid injectable product.

In addition, two transplant patients with Aspergillus fumigatus infection who were administered NECC cardioplegic solution during surgery have been reported. Investigation of these patients is ongoing; and there may be other explanations for their Aspergillus infection. Cardioplegic solution is used to induce cardiac muscle paralysis during open heart surgery to prevent injury to the heart.

BACKGROUND: On October 4, the FDA advised providers to not use any NECC products.  On October 6, NECC announced a recall of all its products. See the complete list of all products subject to this recall. The FDA had previously issued guidance for medical professionals that all products distributed by NECC should be retained, secured, and withheld from use.

RECOMMENDATION: FDA advises healthcare professionals that if you administered an NECC injectable product to a patient after May 21, 2012, including an ophthalmic drug that is injectable or used in conjunction with eye surgery or a cardioplegic solution, you follow-up with that patient. Healthcare professionals and medical care organizations should inform patients who received the NECC products noted above of the symptoms of possible infection and instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience any of these symptoms.

FDA advises healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Healthcare professionals may dial FDA’s Drug Information Line at 855-543-DRUG (3784) and press * to get the most recent information regarding the meningitis recall and speak directly to a pharmacist.
 

FDA Statement on Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Additional Patient Notification Advised

Oct 16, 2012 | Audience: Pharmacists, Risk Managers, Pain Medicine

[Update 10/16/2012] On 10/15/12 the health care facility notified CDC that the initial report of two transplant patients has been revised to one patient who received cardioplegia solution from NECC. The 10/15/12 statement has been revised to reflect this information.

 

[Posted 10/15/2012]

ISSUE: As a result of the ongoing investigation of New England Compounding Center (NECC), a patient with possible meningitis potentially associated with epidural injection of an additional NECC product, triamcinolone acetonide, has been identified through active surveillance and reported to FDA. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of steroid injectable product made by NECC. The cases of meningitis identified to date have been associated with methylprednisolone acetate, another similar steroid injectable product.

In addition, two transplant patients with Aspergillus fumigatus infection who were administered NECC cardioplegic solution during surgery have been reported. Investigation of these patients is ongoing; and there may be other explanations for their Aspergillus infection. Cardioplegic solution is used to induce cardiac muscle paralysis during open heart surgery to prevent injury to the heart.

BACKGROUND: On October 4, the FDA advised providers to not use any NECC products.  On October 6, NECC announced a recall of all its products. See the complete list of all products subject to this recall. The FDA had previously issued guidance for medical professionals that all products distributed by NECC should be retained, secured, and withheld from use.

RECOMMENDATION: FDA advises healthcare professionals to follow-up with patients who were administered any injectable medication from or produced by NECC, including injectable ophthalmic drugs used in conjunction with eye surgery, or a cardioplegic solution purchased from or produced by NECC after May 21, 2012. Healthcare professionals and medical care organizations should inform patients who received the NECC products noted above of the symptoms of possible infection and instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience any of these symptoms.

FDA advises healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Healthcare professionals may dial FDA’s Drug Information Line at 855-543-DRUG (3784) and press * to get the most recent information regarding the meningitis recall and speak directly to a pharmacist.
 

FDA Statement on Fungal Meningitis Outbreak: Additional Patient Notification Advised

Oct 15, 2012 | Audience: Pharmacists, Risk Managers, Pain Medicine

ISSUE: As a result of the ongoing investigation of New England Compounding Center (NECC), a patient with possible meningitis potentially associated with epidural injection of an additional NECC product, triamcinolone acetonide, has been identified through active surveillance and reported to FDA. Triamcinolone acetonide is a type of steroid injectable product made by NECC. The cases of meningitis identified to date have been associated with methylprednisolone acetate, another similar steroid injectable product.

In addition, two transplant patients with Aspergillus fumigatus infection who were administered NECC cardioplegic solution during surgery have been reported. Investigation of these patients is ongoing; and there may be other explanations for their Aspergillus infection. Cardioplegic solution is used to induce cardiac muscle paralysis during open heart surgery to prevent injury to the heart.

BACKGROUND: On October 4, the FDA advised providers to not use any NECC products.  On October 6, NECC announced a recall of all its products. See the complete list of all products subject to this recall. The FDA had previously issued guidance for medical professionals that all products distributed by NECC should be retained, secured, and withheld from use.

RECOMMENDATION: FDA advises healthcare professionals to follow-up with patients who were administered any injectable medication from or produced by NECC, including injectable ophthalmic drugs used in conjunction with eye surgery, or a cardioplegic solution purchased from or produced by NECC after May 21, 2012. Healthcare professionals and medical care organizations should inform patients who received the NECC products noted above of the symptoms of possible infection and instruct patients to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience any of these symptoms.

FDA advises healthcare professionals and patients to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Healthcare professionals may dial FDA’s Drug Information Line at 855-543-DRUG (3784) and press * to get the most recent information regarding the meningitis recall and speak directly to a pharmacist.
 

[10/15/2012 - FDA Statement on Fungal Meningitis Outbreak]
[10/15/2012 - Multistate Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Investigation - CDC]

 

Certain Compounded Drugs from Franck's: FDA Issues Second Warning to Physicians

May 4, 2012 | Audience: Eye Care, Family Practice, Pharmacy
  • Brilliant Blue G (BBG)
  • Triamcinolone

 

[UPDATED 05/04/2012] The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised healthcare personnel to avoid use of compounded products labeled as sterile from Franck’s during the ongoing investigation. Franck’s Lab has recalled one additional lot of triamcinolone acetonide P.F. 80mg/ml. The recall involved four physicians and five prescriptions.

 

[Posted 04/20/2012]

ISSUE: FDA has received additional reports of fungal endophthalmitis (eye infections) in patients who were given Brilliant Blue G (BBG) during eye surgery since the FDA Warning to Physicians was posted on March 19, 2012. The agency has also recently received reports of eye infections in patients who were given injections of drug products containing triamcinolone during eye surgery.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians in several states reported the adverse events. FDA, CDC, and local and state public health agencies are actively investigating these incidents.

These drugs were supplied by Franck’s Pharmacy in Ocala, Florida. Brilliant Blue G is not an approved drug in the United States. Franck’s has recalled all lots of BBG and one lot of Triamcinolone Acetonide P.F

RECOMMENDATION: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised healthcare personnel to stop use of all sterile triamcinolone-containing products purchased from Franck’s until further information regarding the safety of these products is available.

FDA requests that practitioners report to FDA any cases of suspected fungal or bacterial infections, which have occurred within the last six months, associated with drugs labeled as sterile from Franck’s Pharmacy:

 

[04/20/2012 - Updated Warning - FDA]
[03/31/2012 - Press Release - Franck’s Compounding Lab]

Previous MedWatch Safety Alert

[03/19/2012]

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