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Genentech Recalls 3 Lots of Activase Due to Cracked/Leaking Vials

By FDA | September 7, 2017

Genentech issues voluntary nationwide recall of three lots of Activase® (alteplase)-100 mg due to lack of sterility assurance of the sterile water for injection.

Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, is voluntarily recalling three lots of Activase® (alteplase) 100mg vials, that were co-packaged with Sterile Water for Injection, to the hospital level. The vials of Sterile Water for Injection, manufactured by Hospira Inc., a Pfizer company, and packaged with Activase 100 mg, may be cracked or chipped at the neck of the vial and leaking.

The use of impacted Sterile Water for Injection could result in adverse events such as fever, chills, phlebitis, and granuloma or more severe adverse events such as sepsis or invasive systemic infections. To date, Genentech has not received reports of adverse events associated with use of impacted Sterile Water for Injection.

Activase is supplied directly to hospitals and used in a hospital setting. Activase is indicated for treating patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which is caused by a blood clot in the brain’s blood vessels, for treating an acute myocardial infarction (AMI), also known as a heart attack and to break apart an acute massive pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a large blood clot lodged in the blood vessels of the lung. Activase is supplied as a sterile, lyophilized powder in 100 mg vials without vacuum. Each 100 mg Activase vial (58 million IU) is packaged with diluent for reconstitution (100 mL Sterile Water for Injection, USP), and one transfer device: NDC 50242-085-27. The product was distributed nationwide to hospitals.

The affected lots are:

Product Description

UPC

NDC Lot # 

Expiration Date

Genentech Distribution Dates
Activase® (alteplase) vial – 100 mg

UPC 50242008527

50242-0085-27 3128243

9/30/2018

01/06/2017 – 05/19/2017
3141239

9/30/2018

3166728

2/28/2019

Genentech is notifying its distributors and customers by issuing a “Dear Customer” letter and arranging for the return of all recalled products. Healthcare providers that have lots of Activase that have been recalled should stop using the product and should return the affected lots to Genentech.

(Source: FDA)

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