recall of potassium replacement products

[Guest guest]

Health Canada is advising consumers of a recall of potassium replacement

products

Thursday, 2-Sep-2004 News-Medical.Net

Health Canada is advising consumers of a recall of potassium replacement

products distributed in Canada by EuroPharm International Canada Inc.

and Laboratoire Riva Inc. Potassium replacement products are used in the

treatment and prevention of potassium depletion.

Recent testing has led to the conclusion that some of the products

released potassium at a rate or quantity lower or higher than specified.

The following products are being recalled: Euro-K 8, Euro-K 20, Euro-K

600, Riva-K 8 SR, and Riva-K 20 SR.

As a precaution, Health Canada is advising consumers to return these

products to their pharmacists for a suitable alternative. Individuals

with heart, liver or kidney conditions, taking any of these products on

the advice of a physician should not stop taking these products but

should consult their physician to have their potassium status assessed.

Symptoms of potential adverse reactions to these products can vary

greatly between individuals, therefore, accurately predicting all of the

symptoms which may occur as a result of use is difficult. In many cases,

there may be no symptoms at all. However, in some cases, symptoms could

include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, and

muscle fatigue.

Euro-K and Riva-K products come in capsule and tablet form. These

products have been available to the public, without prescription, from

behind pharmacy counters. The name of the potassium replacement product

is written on the label of the container.

There have been no reports of adverse reactions related to the use of

these products in Canada. Health Canada became aware of the situation

associated with these products during routine site inspections.

Consumers and health care professionals are urged to report adverse

reactions to Health Canada.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca