On August 5, 2020, Ferring Pharmaceuticals announced a recall of three nasal sprays due to superpotency of the ingredients. The recalled products are DDAVP Nasal Spray, Desmopressin Acetate Nasal Spray, and STIMATE Nasal Spray. Both DDAVP Nasal Spray and Desmopressin Acetate Nasal Spray are prescribed as an antidiuretic replacement therapy to manage central cranial diabetes insipidus and to manage frequent urination and/or increased thirst in patients suffering a head trauma or surgery in the pituitary region. STIMATE Nasal Spray is prescribed to treat patients with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia A or von Willebrand’s disease.
According to the recall notice, these nasal sprays are being recalled because testing revealed the presence of higher than specified amounts of a drug called desmopressin. Desmopressin in higher than specified amounts is associated with abnormally low levels of sodium in the blood – known as hyponatremia. Sodium helps regulate the amount of water that is both in and around the cells in your body. When sodium levels in your body drop, the body’s water levels rise and, as a result, your cells begin to swell. This swelling can lead to a number of health problems, from mild to life threatening. Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include: nausea and vomiting, headache, confusion, loss of energy and fatigue, restlessness, muscle weakness, seizures, coma, and death.
To learn more and for a list of the recalled lots of the nasal sprays, click here. Most consumers are being notified of the recall by their pharmacy. If you are unsure whether the product you used is subject to the recall, you should contact your pharmacy.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries you believe were caused by one of the recalled Nasal Sprays, contact the nationally recognized mass tort litigation attorneys in Burg Simpson’s Cincinnati, Ohio office today. They can be reached by phone at (513) 852-5600 or through their website.