EpiPen Recall 2017: Full List Of Products Affected, How To Replace Allergy Medication

Mylan pharmaceutical-owned Alphapharm has issued a major recall on thousands of EpiPens, which are emergency medications for adverse allergic reactions.

The recall was issued Monday on its selection of EpiPen 300 microgram Injection Syringe Auto-Injectors after the company discovered that the affected devices could “contain a defective part” that resulted in the pens failing to activate. The recall extended to 80,000 pens worldwide, according to a release from Alphapharm, and was issued following a consultation with the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

Two reports worldwide were confirmed at the time of the announcement.

The following batch numbers were confirmed as follows: 5FA665, 5FA6651, 5FA6652, 5FA6653, all listed with an expiration date of April 17.

Read: Cigna Drops Mylan's Lifesaving Allergy Medication In Favor Of Impax Generic

EpiPens that fail to activate or that require excessive force to activate pose a very serious, life-threatening issue to those suffering from serious allergies. The Food Allergy Research & Education organization estimated that up to 15 million Americans had food allergies and more than 17 million Europeans reported having food allergies, as well. The organization also reported that every three minutes a food allergy sent someone to the emergency room, resulting in more than 200,000 emergency visits a year. Serious food allergies can lead to anaphylaxis — "a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction" that "can occur within seconds or minutes of exposure to something you're allergic to." The first line of treatment prescribed for an attack is epinephrine.

“The failure of the auto-injector to activate may result in patients not receiving the required dose of adrenaline resulting I worsening symptoms of anaphylaxis or anaphylactic reactions,” the statement read.

For those who carry EpiPens, Alphapharm suggested checking the yellow box and label and confirming the batch number and expiration date on the carton. If boxes feature the “Apr 17” expiration date or one of the aforementioned batch numbers, the company encouraged consumers to replace the pens immediately by returning them to a pharmacist.

Pharmacists are required to replace all potentially defective EpiPens with new ones or an EpiPen 300pug – for free.