Safety Alert: ReliOn diabetes syringes recalled

If you have diabetes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration urges you to check the packaging of your hypodermic needles because of a new recall. Tyco Healthcare Group LP (Covidien) is recalling 4,710 boxes of ReliOn sterile, single-use, disposable, hypodermic syringes with permanently affixed hypodermic needles due to possible mislabeling. The use of these syringes may lead to an overdose of as much as 2.5 times the intended dose, which may lead to hypoglycemia, serious health consequences, and even death.

The recall applies only to lot number 813900 syringes. This number can be found on the back panel of the 100 count syringe carton, or on the white paper backing of each individual syringe "peel-pack." These syringes are sold only by Walmart or Sam's Club pharmacies under the ReliOn name, and were distributed from Aug. 1, 2008, until Oct. 8, 2008. Walmart has posted recall announcements in stores and on its Web site.

For more on this recall and for what to do if you suspect you have the recalled syringes, please see the FDA notice. And for more on diabetes, see our Treatment Ratings, and our free Best Buy Drugs report on cost-effective drugs for diabetes.