Magnesium Sulfate: against prolongued use in pre-term labor

Magnesium Sulfate: Drug Safety Communication - Recommendation Against Prolonged Use in Pre-term Labor

AUDIENCE: OB/GYN, Nursing, Risk Manager
ISSUE: FDA is advising health care professionals against using magnesium sulfate injection for more than 5-7 days to stop pre-term labor in pregnant women. Administration of magnesium sulfate injection to pregnant women longer than 5-7 days may lead to low calcium levels and bone problems in the developing baby or fetus, including thin bones (osteopenia), and fractures. The shortest duration of treatment that can result in harm to the baby is not known. See the Data Summary in the Drug Safety Communication for additional information.
BACKGROUND: This use of the drug is off-label, and is not an FDA-approved use of the drug. Magnesium sulfate is approved to prevent seizures in preeclampsia, a condition in which the pregnant woman develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine, and for control of seizures in eclampsia. Both preeclampsia and eclampsia are life-threatening complications that can occur during pregnancy. Preeclampsia can lead to eclampsia, seizures, stroke, multiple organ failure, and death of the woman and/or baby.
RECOMMENDATIONS: In light of this new safety information about low calcium levels and bone problems in the developing baby, the following information is being added to the drug label for Magnesium Sulfate Injection, USP 50%:

• A new Warning stating that continuous administration of magnesium sulfate injection beyond 5-7 days in pregnancy for the treatment of pre-term labor can cause low calcium levels and bone changes in the baby.
• A new Teratogenic Effects section conveying the potential harm to developing babies by changing the Pregnancy Category to D from A. Pregnancy Category D means there is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but the potential benefits from using the drug in pregnant women may be acceptable in certain situations despite its risks.
• A new Labor and Delivery section emphasizing that continuous administration of magnesium sulfate injection to treat pre-term labor is not approved and that the safety and efficacy of use for this indication are not established. When used in pregnant women for conditions other than its approved indication, magnesium sulfate injection should be administered only by trained obstetrical personnel in a hospital setting with appropriate obstetrical care facilities.

Pregnant women should discuss with their health care professional the possibility of going into labor before term and the risks and benefits of any treatments that may be used.
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the Drug Safety Communication, at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm354603.htm

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Med Prep Consulting Inc. Compounded Products: Recall - Potential Mold Contamination

AUDIENCE: Risk Manager, Pharmacy, Family Practice
ISSUE: Med Prep Consulting, Inc. notified the public that it is recalling all lots of all products compounded at its facility, due to lack of sterility assurance. The level of recall is to the user: regional hospital pharmacies and related departments, and physician’s office practices. The recall resulted from the pharmacy being notified by a Connecticut hospital that it observed visible particulate contaminants in 50 ml bags of MAGNESIUM SULFATE 2GM IN DEXTROSE 5% IN WATER, 50ML FOR INJECTION intravenous solution, confirmed to be mold. These were unique and distinct lots compounded and dispensed by the pharmacy to the Connecticut hospital. At this time a total of five (5) contaminated bags were discovered. See the Med Prep Press Release for a list of affected products.
Administration of an intravenous product found to be contaminated with mold could result in a fatal infection in a broad array of patients.
BACKGROUND: The affected products are used for a wide range of therapeutic uses for hospitalized inpatients and outpatients, and, patients directly treated by a health care professional at a physician’s office practice facility or clinic. None of these products are dispensed directly to patients from retail pharmacies or to home care patients for either self-administration or nursing administration.
All products are packaged in plastic infusion bags, plastic infusion devices, plastic syringes and glass vials. Products packaged in plastic infusion bags, plastic infusion devices, plastic syringes and glass vials were distributed directly to regional hospital pharmacies located in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware. Products packaged in plastic syringes only, were distributed nationwide to physician’s office practice facilities and clinics. All of these products were distributed to the described users through March 13, 2013, from Tinton Falls, New Jersey to both regional and nationwide locations.
RECOMMENDATION: All facilities that received any product compounded by Med Prep Consulting, Inc. have been notified by telephone fax, electronic mail and regular mail of the recall and have been instructed to remove and return the product to the pharmacy. Facilities with questions may contact the company at 732-493-3390, Monday through Friday, between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST.
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including a link to the Press Release, at:
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm344259.htm

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