Novo Nordisk recalls GlucaGen HypoKit in U.S.

Novo Nordisk Inc. yesterday issued a recall for six batches of the GlucaGen HypoKit in the United States.

The reason for the recall are two complaints from customers in the United Kingdom and Portugal that involve the detachment of needles from the syringe with SWFI, or Sterile Water for Injection.

GlucaGen HypoKit was designed to treat sever hypoglycema, or low blood sugar, in patients who have diabetes that are currently treated with insulin. When a syringe has a needle that has become detached, it becomes unusable as prescribed.

If hypoglycemia goes untreated, it can lead to fatal unconsciousness and seizures. Blood glucose levels must be restored quickly to avoid a decline in brain glucose levels which will begin to become noticeable through symptoms such as cognitive dysfunction, sweating, tremors, convulsion, and eventually coma or death.

A recent investigation by Novo Nordisk showed that a very small percentage of GlucaGen HypoKit needles could become detached from the syringe in certain batches. Novo Nordisk has issued recalls for affected batches sent out to wholesalers, pharmacies and patients in the United States to show their dedication to the safety of their patients. The company is estimating that four out of 71,215 pens are defective.