Recalled Diabetic Syringes With Wrong Label Pose Risk Of Insulin Overdose

November 6, 2008 5:30 p.m. EST

Rockville, MD (AHN) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert that 471,000 mislabeled syringes for diabetics being recalled from Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs stores pose risk of insulin overdose.

The agency warned patients and health care professionals not to use disposable 31-gauge, 1cc ReliOn syringes with Lot Number 813900 as its manufacturer, Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Covidien), recalled the product on Oct. 9, 2008 and Wal-Mart notified buyers to return them in exchange for replacements. The said syringes were sold at Wal-Mart and Sam's Clubs stores from Aug. 1, 2008 to Oct. 8, 2008.

The syringes being recalled are for use with U-40 insulin but were packed in boxes of syringes for use with U-100 insulin.

The FDA said using the wrong syringes could possibly give diabetics 2.5 times the intended insulin dose, which may lead to hypoglycemia, serious health consequences, and even death.