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Natural health product (Spectrazyme) recalled due to potential contamination with the antibiotic chloramphenicol
- Starting date:
- October 11, 2013
- Posting date:
- October 11, 2013
- Type of communication:
- Advisory
- Subcategory:
- Natural health products
- Source of recall:
- Health Canada
- Issue:
- Contamination
- Audience:
- General Public
- Identification number:
- RA-36249
- Issue
- Products affected
- What you should do
- Who is affected
- Report health or safety concerns
- Related AWRs
- Media enquiries
- Public enquiries
- What Health Canada is doing
- Images
Issue
Metagenics Canada, in consultation with Health Canada, is voluntarily recalling its natural health product “Spectrazyme” – a digestive aid – due to a possible contamination with chloramphenicol, an antibiotic that may pose serious health risks to consumers. Chloramphenicol is associated with a rare risk of aplastic anemia, a serious blood disorder that can be fatal. This reaction is unpredictable and not related to a specific dose of chloramphenicol.
Chloramphenicol is a prescription drug and should only be used under medical supervision in adults and children after careful consideration of the risks associated with it use. Other side effects that can be associated with chloramphenicol include allergic reactions in people who have sensitivity to the medication, and effects on the bone marrow leading to decreased blood cells. In addition, it should not be used in pregnant or lactating women.
Products affected
- Spectrazyme (NPN 80044751) Lot #0413083
What you should do
- Consult your healthcare practitioner immediately if you have used this product.
- Report any adverse events using this product to Health Canada.
- Contact Metagenics Canada Inc. at 1-800-268-6200 to return the product.
Who is affected
Canadians who have used this product. The company has not received any reports of adverse reactions associated with this product.
Report health or safety concerns
To report suspected adverse reaction to these or other health products, please contact Health Canada’s Canada Vigilance Program toll-free at 1-866-234-2345, or complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and send to us using one of these methods:
- Fax: 1-866-678-6789
- Internet: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
-
Mail: Canada Vigilance Program
Marketed Health Products Directorate
Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 0701E
K1A 0K9
Related AWRs
Media enquiries
Health Canada
(613) 957-2983
Public enquiries
(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709
What Health Canada is doing
Health Canada is monitoring the recall of “Spectrazyme” by the company.
According to the company, testing of one of the raw materials used to produce this product identified the presence of chloramphenicol.
Images
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