Drugmaker Pharmacia yesterday issued a recall on roughly 800,000 pre-filled syringes distributed since January 2002 of its injectable contraceptive Lunelle. Pharmacia stressed that the recall does not apply to patients using vial-packed forms of Lunelle, but urged women who were unsure to employ a barrier birth control backup until they contact their physician. Pharmacia says the recall affects an estimated 100,000 women. More information is available on Lunelle’s web site or via telephone (800-323-4204 for patients and 888-691-6813 for health care providers).
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lunelle, a drug containing progestin and estrogen, in 2000 after it was found to be 99% effective in preventing pregnancy.
