Sandoz recalls eye drops over contamination fears

Canadian Press

OTTAWA -- Health Canada is warning consumers not to use a particular brand of eye drops because of the possibility the bottles may contain another product that could cause serious health risks.

Patients who have been prescribed Sandoz Prednisolone one per cent USP ophthalmic suspension eye drops should stop using the product and consult their doctor immediately to ensure no adverse effects have occurred.

The Sandoz eye drops may contain a product called Blue Collyrium. One bottle from one lot of Prednisolone one per cent USP ophthalmic suspension eye drops was found to contain Blue Collyrium.

Patients should also return the product to place of purchase and have the pharmacist confirm that the 10-millilitre plastic bottle they purchased contains the correct product, Health Canada said Thursday in a release.

Prednisolone one per cent USP ophthalmic suspension eye drops are white, while Blue Collyrium drops are dark blue. However, it may be difficult to detect colour differences through the bottles.

The lot number of the product found to contain Blue Collyrium is 128832, with an expiration date of 2007-10. This lot number can be found on the bottle.

Sandoz Canada Inc. initiated the recall. The product was distributed across Canada to wholesalers, pharmacists and hospitals. Although the eye drops are not intended for use in animals, the product has also been distributed to veterinary wholesalers.

The eye drops are prescribed for the treatment of conditions that cause inflammation of the eye and for use after cataract surgery.

Because Blue Collyrium does not treat inflammation, its use could lead to severe complications, including damage to eye tissue and scarring. Blue Collyrium is used to treat eye redness caused by minor irritation and is not recommended for use for more than 72 hours without physician monitoring.

The Sandoz eye drops may be used beyond 72 hours: as a result of the product mix-up, patients would be exposed to Blue Collyrium longer than recommended.

Patients with certain medical conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes and thyroid disease may be at higher risk of adverse effects from taking Blue Collyrium.