Canadian Version of Asthma Medication Recalled

November 15, 2003
Americans who imported their asthma medication from Canada may have gotten a version that is being recalled because of a potentially deadly defect.

GlaxoSmithKline is recalling certain Canadian batches of three common asthma medications because they may not administer the correct dose of the drug into the patient's lungs.

The drugs in question are the diskus versions of Ventolin, Flovent and Serevent -- not the metered-dose inhaler or spray form.

The company said that a manufacturing error in France caused the problem. Canadian versions of the drugs comoe from the French plant, whereas U.S. versions come from a GlaxoSmithKline plant in Great Britain.

Anyone who bought asthma medication from a Web site or from someone who imports Canadian medications should be sure to check the recalled batch numbers:

• VENTOLIN DISKUS 200mcg (DIN 02243115): lot numbers 073, 081, 094, and 105; expiring between April and November 2004.
• SEREVENT DISKUS 50mcg (DIN 02231129): lot numbers 491, 496, 527, 537, 550 and 556; expiring between June 2004 and January 2005.
  
  The following FLOVENT DISKUS products:
• FLOVENT DISKUS 50mcg (DIN 02237244): lot numbers 122, 138 and 146; expiring between December 2003 and July 2004.
• FLOVENT DISKUS 100mcg (DIN 02237245): lot numbers 346 and 397; expiring between January and April 2004.
• FLOVENT DISKUS 250mcg (DIN 02237246): lot numbers 305, 325, 347, 354, 356, 360 and 375; expiring between December 2003 and July 2004. FLOVENT DISKUS 500mcg (DIN 02237247): lot numbers 579, 600, 605, 608, 614 and 615; expiring between December 2003 and June 2004.

As a precaution, consumers who have these DISKUS inhalation devices are advised to return the products to their pharmacist for replacement. Individuals who are experiencing increasing symptoms should consult with their physicians as soon as possible.

Patients who encounter serious difficulty in breathing should dial 911 immediately.

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