Global EpiPen Recall Now Includes U.S.

By Robert Lowes
WebMD Health News

April 1, 2017 -- The U.S. has joined the list of countries covered by a voluntary recall of EpiPen auto-injectors for severe allergic reactions.

The recall was triggered by a defective part that may result in the device failing to inject a potentially life-saving dose of epinephrine, the FDA said Friday.

Mylan, the company that markets the device, announced last month that it was recalling one lot of roughly 80,000 EpiPens in Australia, Europe, Japan, and New Zealand. It reported two instances of the device failing to deliver its dose, although the two people were able to use backup EpiPens. Pressing the EpiPen into a person's thigh — where the pen is designed for use — causes a needle to penetrate skin and inject epinephrine into muscle. The defective part may require a person to use increased force to activate the needle, or it may prevent the EpiPen from working at all, according to Mylan.

In the United States, the recall applies to 13 lots of both EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. auto-injectors distributed between December 17, 2015, and July 1, 2016. Patients can receive another EpiPen or an authorized generic version at their pharmacy, Mylan said. In the meantime, they should continue to carry and use their current EpiPen until they acquire a replacement.

The affected lots are:

For further assistance, EpiPen users can contact Mylan at 800-796-9526 or email customer service at [email protected]

More information about the recall is available at the FDA website.