Drug Advisories

CMAJ is committed to publishing advisories and warnings of serious adverse drug reactions from Health Canada (HC) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as soon as they are available. In addition, we regularly create practical, readable summaries of the important information contained in some advisory and warning letters. For more information about drug reactions reported in Canada, see the Health Canada Web site.

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

 Advisory From Date posted
Recall of Baxter HomeChoice and HomeChoice PRO Automated Peritoneal Dialysis Systems: Reports of serious injuries and death associated with increased intraperitoneal volume FDA March 8, 2010
Recall of Thomas Medical Products Transseptal Sheath Introducer Kits: sheath tip may break off FDA March 8, 2010
2H &D: Contains undeclared tadafil HC March 2, 2010
STRO Emperor capsules: Some lots contain undeclared tadalafil HC March 2, 2010
Tian Yan Xu Huo oral ulcer capsule: One lot contains undeclared aristolochic acid HC March 2, 2010
Products distributed by Bodybuilding.com: May contain anabolic steroids HC March 2, 2010
Products distributed by Atlas Operations Inc: May contain undeclared sulfoaildenafil HC March 2, 2010
Recall of StatSpin Express 4 centrifuges: Rotor may break and eject pieces FDA March 1, 2010
Recall of OneTouch SureStep test strips: May provide falsely low results when glucose level is over 22 mmol/L FDA March 1, 2010
Association between zinc-containing Poli-Grip products and myeloneuropathy/blood dyscrasias HC February 24, 2010
Saquinavir: Possible association with abnormal heart rhythms when used in combination with ritonavir FDA February 23, 2010
Rosiglitazone (Avandia): Review of new trial data on cardiovascular safety FDA February 23, 2010
Risk of serious injuries with ear candles FDA February 22, 2010
OM Fusion Distributors LLC health products may cause life-threatening reactions HC February 22, 2010
Recall of Nipro GlucoPro Insulin Syringes: needles may detach HC February 22, 2010
Long-Acting Beta-Agonists (LABAs): New safe use requirements FDA February 22, 2010
Deferasirox (Exjade): Risk of renal impairment/failure, hepatic impairment/failure or gastrointestinal hemorrhage FDA February 18, 2010
Maalox Total Relief should not be used by those with history of GI ulcers or bleeding disorders (contains bismuth subsalicylate) FDA February 18, 2010
Accutane: Association with severe skin reactions HC February 16, 2010
Recall of NeXus I, II and III Rollators: Walkers associated with risk of falls and serious injury HC February 11, 2010
Recall of Cardiac Science automated external defibrillators (Powerheart, Cardiovive, CardioLife models): May fail during cardiac resuscitation attempts FDA February 10, 2010
Recall of BD Q-Syte Luer access devices: May cause air embolism or leakage FDA February 10, 2010
Recall of “Complete 7-Day Cleanse”: may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances HC February 9, 2010
Tysabri (Natalizumab): Risk of developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) increases with the number of infusions received FDA February 5, 2010
Complications associated with transvaginal implantation of surgical mesh for treating stress incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse HC February 5, 2010
Recall of Safesheath CSG Coronary Sinus Guide Hemostatic Introducer System: Sheath tip may break off
 FDA February 5, 2010
Unauthorized Natural Choice products in Canadian market (Vitamin B-17, Kava Kava and Lithium Orotate) HC February 2, 2010
Products containing glucomannan may cause serious choking if taken with insufficient liquid HC February 2, 2010
Recall of Hettich centrifuges with plastic rotors: risk of ejection of hematocrit rotor FDA February 2, 2010
Recall of Edwards Lifesciences Aquarius Hemodialysis System: clinically significant fluid imbalance and potential for users to override the fluid imbalance alarm FDA February 2, 2010
Videx/Videx EC (didanosine): Risk of non-cirrhotic portal hypertension FDA February 2, 2010
Zyprexa (olanzapine): Consider potential long-term risks when prescribing to adolescents FDA February 2, 2010
Availability of medications for Parkinson Disease HC January 28, 2010
Velcade (bortezomib): starting dose adjustments for patients with hepatic impairment FDA January 26, 2010
Recall: Exel/Exelint infusion sets and needles may cut slivers in access ports FDA January 26, 2010
Alli 60 mg capsules : counterfeit product contains undeclared drug (sibutramine) in up to 3 times the usual daily dose FDA January 25, 2010
Recall of Nipro GlucoPro insulin syringes FDA January 22, 2010
Sibutramine not to be used in patients with history of cardiovascular disease FDA January 22, 2010
Recall of TYLENOL® Arthritis Pain Caplet 100 count bottles with red EZ-OPEN CAP (purchased in USA) HC January 19, 2010
Recall of BiCNU (carmustine for injection): risk of infection HC January 19, 2010
Recall: Flaw in Trailblazer Support Catheter FDA January 19, 2010
Foreign product alerts Jan 2010 HC January 19, 2010
Rapamune (sirolimus): Changes in drug monitoring FDA January 19, 2010
Recall of Rolaids Antacid tablets packaged in bottles HC January 18, 2010
Counterfeit Alli 60 mg (sibutramine) capsules (120 count refill kit) FDA January 18, 2010
"The Slimming Coffee" and "Lose Weight Coffee" contain sibutramine HC January 18, 2010
"Stiff Nights" contains sildenafil HC January 18, 2010
OPTIMARK (gadoversetamide injection) — Association with Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis in Patients with Renal impairment HC January 18, 2010
MuscleMaster(dot)com dietary supplements recalled (may contain steroids) FDA January 18, 2010
Recall of McNeil Consumer Healthcare OTC products FDA January 18, 2010