Abbott Diabetes Care and the FDA have recalled 359 different lots of glucose test strips marketed under the following brand names: Precision Xceed Pro, Precision Xtra, Medisense Optium, Optium, OptiumEZ and ReliOn Ultima. The problem with these strips relates to a defect that inhibits sufficient absorption of blood into the test strip. Strips exposed to warm weather or prolonged storage may be more likely to provide a false result. Test strips with lot numbers that have been recalled may give falsely low blood glucose results, which can lead patients to try to raise their blood glucose when it is unnecessary, or to fail to treat elevated blood glucose due to a falsely low reading. Both scenarios pose risks to health.
The recalled strips are used with Abbott’s Precision Xtra, Precision Xceed Pro, MediSense Optium, Optium, Optium EZ and ReliOn Ultima blood glucose monitoring systems. As many as 359 million strips manufactured between January and May 2010 may be affected. They are sold both in retail and online settings directly to consumers, but are also used in health care facilities.
FDA is releasing recommendations for consumers and healthcare professionals. These recommendations explain how to determine whether a particular lot is affected, how to order a free replacement set of strips, and what steps to take in the meantime. Patients with diabetes should be aware of this problem and take steps to prevent it from affecting their health. Customers can check if they have tests trips from the recalled lots by visiting Abbott’s website to look up their product lot number: http://www.precisionoptiuminfo.com
Source: FDA MedWatch
many people with diabetes adjust their insulin, food, and activity based on readings from blood glucose meters. For these strips to be recalled they must have had dangerous excursions from any acceptable margin.