February 18, 2011
FDA upgrades recall of Abbott glucose test strips
This week the Food and Drug Administration upgraded theDecember recall on 359 lots of Abbott glucose test strips toClass I because of potentially false low glucose readings. Class I is the agency's most serious type of recall and an indication that the product will cause serious health problems or death. False glucose readings are potentially dangerous because they might cause people with diabetes to unnecessarily try to raise their blood glucose level or fail to lower elevated blood glucose.
The recall applies to the following brand names: Precision Xceed Pro; Precision Xtra; Medisense Optium; Optium; OptiumEZ; ReliOn Ultima. The test strips were manufactured between January and September 2010 and sold both in retail and online settings, and were also used in health-care facilities. The strips are used with Abbott's Precision Xtra, Precision Xceed Pro, MediSense Optium, Optium, Optium EZ and ReliOn Ultima blood glucose monitoring systems. The monitors themselves are not affected by the recall.
If you have diabetes and use Abbott glucose test strips, check the lot numbers affected by this recall. Get more information on the recall on Abbott’s website or by callingAbbott Diabetes Care customer service at 1-800-448-5234 (English) and 1-800-709-7010 (Spanish).
—Ginger Skinner, web associate editor
Use an at-home glucose monitor? Make sure you’re using it correctly.
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