Major Glucose Test Strip Recall: What It Means in RI

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Thursday, January 06, 2011

GoLocalProv Lifestyle Editor Andrea E. McHugh

Just days before Christmas, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the agency would work with Abbott Diabetes Care to recall 359 different lots of glucose test strips that may give incorrect low blood glucose results. “It’s not a good situation,” said Robert Smith, MD, director of the Hallett Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at Rhode Island Hospital. Dr. Smith explained that the danger is that defective test strips have the potential to read lower than what a diabetic’s blood sugar actually is. “And they might take something to raise their blood sugar, but would be confused when they test again and it remains low,” he said. As a result, he continued, patients might take a prescribed medication or drink orange juice—whatever their normal regime is to increase their blood sugar—and consequently, make their glucose numbers spike, posing a serious health risk.

Brands Affected

Abbott’s glucose test strips are marketed under the brand names Precision Xceed Pro; Precision Xtra; Medisense Optium; Optium; OptiumEZ; and ReliOn Ultima. They are used with Abbott’s

Precision Xtra, Precision Xceed Pro, MediSense Optium, Optium, Optium EZ and ReliOn Ultima blood glucose monitoring systems. Neither Abbott’s blood glucose monitoring systems nor other Abbott Diabetes Care products are affected by the recall. According to the FDA, certain lots of these test strips have been distributed in the United States and Puerto Rico.

Signs to Look For

Dr. Smith said the first sign of a defective strip is if the results appear abnormally slow. “If it takes more than five seconds, which is longer than usual, that’s a sign this isn’t working right.” He also said it’s important to be vigilant; if one strip is accurate in the package, they may not all be. If you’re concerned the recall may affect you, check with your pharmacy, Dr. Smith advises, as your pharmacist is in a better position to know what brands they’re dispensed to you. If result numbers just don’t seem accurate, Dr. Smith says to consult with your physician.
 

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