Recall of Glutathione Products from Three Texas Pharmacies

Three Texas pharmacies have issued recalls for glutathione products sold as injectable liquids. The pharmacies involved in the recall are Victory Medical Center Pharmacy, Optimal Balance Pharmacy, and Centric Compounding. Centric Compounding’s recall includes products known as Myers Cocktail and Tri-Immune Boost.

Health concerns arose due to increased bacterial endotoxins found in the medical glutathione. Reports of illnesses related to endotoxin exposure from injectable glutathione usage have surfaced, showing symptoms such as fever, chills, severe headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, changes in blood pressure, body aches, fatigue, and allergic reaction-like symptoms. Some cases have shown signs of shock or sepsis-like conditions.

Illness reports have originated from individuals in Texas, Washington, Florida, and New York, with three people who received intravenous glutathione requiring hospitalization. One individual faced severe complications and needed intensive care for shock and abnormal blood clotting.

Ongoing investigations by the FDA and CDC continue to receive reports of illness associated with glutathione use, indicating that additional cases may emerge. This isn’t the first instance of glutathione, typically classified as a dietary supplement, being administered intravenously despite prior warnings. A previous alert in 2019 highlighted concerns about using glutathione infusions following reports of endotoxin poisoning, during which two individuals required hospitalization.