Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced an urgent voluntary recall of heparin, a prescription injectable blood thinner, after it received complaints about adverse reactions to the drug far above normal levels. The company has reported that patients are subject to a variety of reactions – some of which may be life threatening.

Heparin Recall details

The Illinois based health care company issued the voluntary recall on January 25, 2008 after receiving complaints that patients were experiencing problems with heparin, an injectable blood coagulant often used in hemodialysis (the filtering of blood) and cardiac invasive procedures. The company had already begun recalling certain lots of the drug as a precautionary measure about a week beforehand when complaints began to increase. Baxter has said that it is investigating the matter further.

Affected products

The following products are part of the recall:

• Heparin 1,000 Units/ML 10 and 30mL Multi-Dose Vials
• NDC (National Drug Code) NUMBERS 0641-2440-45, 0641-2440-41, 0641-2450-45 and 0641-2450-41
• LOTS: 107054, 117085, 047056, 097081, 107024, 107064, 107066, 107074, 107111

Adverse patient reactions

Baxter has advised that patients may experience any of the following reactions to the drug – some of which may be life threatening:

Stomach pain or discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased or low blood pressure, chest pain, fast heart rate, dizziness, fainting, unresponsiveness, shortness of breath, feeling your heart beat strong or fast, drug ineffectiveness, burning sensation, redness or paleness of skin, abnormal sensation of the skin, mouth or lips, flushing, increased sweating, decreased skin sensitivity, headache, feeling unwell, restlessness, watery eyes, throat swelling, thirst and difficulty opening the mouth.

Advice to patients / customers

Baxter has instructed patients to discontinue use and to segregate the recalled products and to contact the company to return and replace those products. It advised customers who purchased their products indirectly to contact their wholesaler or distributor.

Contact information

Baxter Healthcare Corporation
One Baxter Parkway
Deerfield, IL 60015-4625
1-800-667-0959
www.baxter.com