Complaints about smell led to a drug recall for possible bacterial contamination

If you have or will be taking oral prescription drugs at home or in a hospital, you might want to check with your pharmacy or hospital after two lots of compounding drug SyrSpend SF Cherry were recalled for a possible bacterial contamination.

Here’s what you need to know.

What was recalled? Fagron is recalling two lots of SyrSpend SF Cherry, 500 ml size, lot No. A67185, and 4-liter size, lot No. A67186, expiration date for both 08/31/2024. The label to SyrSpend Cherry Flavor 4-liter The label of SyrSpend SF Cherry 500 ml

As this is used in the compounding or creating of oral prescription drugs, distributors, hospitals and pharmacists would have the drug in this form. A patient wouldn’t, but it might be part of a drug they’re taking.

Why was SyrSpend SF Cherry recalled? The lots might be contaminated with Burkholderia gladioli.

The recall notice describes this bacteria as “an opportunistic pathogen most commonly affecting patients with respiratory disease” and “exposure to contaminated product could lead to adverse events, which could be severe for at-risk individuals.”

People with damaged immune systems, such as people with cystic fibrosis, and recent transplant patients are at higher risk of problems.

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The alert said Fagron got “three complaints regarding an undesirable smell associated with the product.”

What should you do now? Hospitals, pharmacies and distributors should be hearing from Fagron. Until then, stop using the recalled SyrSpend and quarantine the drugs.

Consumers should check with their pharmacist to see if SyrSpend is being used. If you have questions, contact Fagron at 800-423-6967, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time, or by emailing customer.service@fagron.us.