Novartis issues voluntary recall of one lot of Sandimmune oral solution

Novartis is conducting a voluntary nationwide recall at the consumer level of one lot of its Sandimmune Oral Solution, 100 mg/mL in the US due to crystal formation observed in some bottles, which could potentially result in incorrect dosing. No other Sandimmune formulations are impacted. Sandimmune Oral Solution, 100 mg/mL, packaged in 50 mL bottles, is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in kidney, liver, and heart allogeneic transplants. The drug may also be used in the treatment of chronic rejection in patients previously treated with other immunosuppressive agents. Novartis said “Crystallization of cyclosporine in Sandimmune Oral Solutionis likely to result in non-uniform distribution of the cyclosporine in the product, resulting in under-dosing or over-dosing. There is a reasonable probability that under-dosing may result in lower exposures and decrease in efficacy which could ultimately lead to graft rejection and graft loss in transplant patients. Furthermore, over-dosage may manifest itself as cyclosporine toxicity in the long term if over exposure continues. Novartis has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall, to date.”