Check your medicine cabinet. Topical anesthetic spray recalled for presence of benzene
Another product recall has been announced but this time you won't have to toss something in your kitchen or worry about something you ate.
For this one, check your medicine cabinet.
Insight Pharmaceuticals is voluntarily recalling one lot of Americaine 20% Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic Spray due to the presence of benzene.
Why is the Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic Spray being recalled?
Samples of the recalled lot were found to contain trace levels of benzene.
"While benzene is not an ingredient in any Americaine 20% Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic Spray products, a recent review by our manufacturer and their third-party lab found that a sample from one lot of the product showed a low level of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can," the company announced.
Has anyone been affected by the anesthetic spray that's being recalled?
"Insight is recalling these products out of an abundance of caution.
"To date, the company has not received any serious adverse events related to this recall," according to the company's post on the FDA's website.
If you have a reaction, report it to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program at:
Online: FDA MedWatch
Call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
How to tell if you have the recalled anesthetic spray
Americaine 20% Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic Spray is packaged in white aerosol cans with teal caps. The lot codes are located on the bottom of the can.
NDC: 63736-378-02
Lot code: 1A16420
Expiration: 01/25
Package size: 2 oz / 57 g
Where was the spray sold?
The affected Americaine 20% Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic Spray lot was distributed nationwide in the United States through a limited number of retailers and online.
All were contacted and asked to remove the spray from their shelves, according to the FDA.
Can you get your money back if you have the anesthetic spray?
Yes. The company will reimburse for consumers who have purchased Americaine 20% Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic Spray marked with the recalled lot code.
To receive a full refund, contact Insight Pharmaceuticals via:
E-mail at medicalaffairs@prestigebrands.com
Website at prestigebrands.com
Phone at 800-344-7239, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET
You'll need to send a picture of the bottom of the can showing the affected lot number.
"Consumers that have product which is being recalled should stop using the product immediately and appropriately discard after taking the picture.
"Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this anesthetic product," Insight said.
What is benzene?
Benzene is considered to be a cancer-causing chemical, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
It's made from coal and petroleum sources and is present in gasoline. It's one of the most commonly made chemicals in the United States, and is often used to make many other chemicals. Benzene is present in cigarette smoke.
People are most commonly exposed to benzene by breathing it in the air. Benzene gets into the air from forest fires, car emissions, gasoline vapors, and tobacco smoke.
Benzene can be absorbed into the body by eating food or drinking water or other beverages contaminated with benzene.
Breathing in unusually high doses of benzene can cause difficulty in thinking, changes in heart function, unconsciousness, or death, according to the CDC.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Benzocaine topical anesthetic spray recalled for benzene. What to do
