allerject

An important recall for adults or parents of children with severe allergies.

Health Canada and pharmaceutical company Sanofi have announced a recall of Allerject, a single-use, pre-filled epinephrine auto-injector, saying they potentially could deliver the wrong-sized dose. This poses a serious health risk because epinephrine is required to treat anaphylaxis, a potentially deadly emergency allergic reaction. The same product is also being recalled in the United States, where it’s sold under the name of Auvi-Q.

There have been 26 cases of suspected malfunctions thought there have been no deaths.

“We’re doing this voluntary recall as a precaution,” said Dr. Paul Chew, global chief medical officer for Sanofi, “and we have temporarily stopped manufacturing.”

Sanofi previously recalled two lots of children’s Allerject after they discovered a serious manufacturing defect in the needle that may prevent the epinephrine from being injected properly.

If you or your child have one of the recalled epinephrine injectors, call your doctors and get a prescription for a new replacement auto-injector. Because so many people will need to replace their auto-injectors and there’s a need to manage supply, Health Canada requests that you only replace one unit, or the number of units your healthcare provider suggests, for the time being.

Customers can call 1-866-726-6340 to get information on how to return their Auvi-Q and get a refund or cost of a new injector.

 

The following products are affected:

Allerject Pre-filled Autoinjector (DIN02382059 – 0.15mg/0.15mL epinephrine).
Allerject Pre-filled Autoinjector (DIN02382067 – 0.3mg/0.3mL epinephrine).

See Health Canada’s complete recall notice here.