Hospira is recalling lots of injectible Liposyn and Propofol because some of the containers may contain particulate matter primarily made up of stainless steel. These contaminants, if injected into the blood stream, could lead to serious injury or death.

Hospira-brand Liposyn and Propofol was first recalled March 31, 2010, but was expanded this week to include additional lots of the drug distributed during a wider timeframe. Hospira’s Propofol was also recalled in November 2009 after some lots of the anesthetic were found to be contaminated with particulate matter identified as stainless steel. (Propofol is one of the drugs found at pop star Michael Jackson’s house during an investigation into the singer’s sudden death. It is a powerful anesthetic not intended for home use.)

The stainless steel contaminant found in the recalled lots of Liposyn and Propofol do not dissolve in blood and could potentially act as emboli and impede blood flow. They may also cause mechanical damage to the body and may escalate damage through the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Restriction in blood supply to tissues could lead to stroke, respiratory failure, kidney failure, heart attack and/or death.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising anyone with existing inventory of Hospira-brand Liposyn and Propofol to stop use and distribution of the drugs immediately and to quarantine the product and arrange for the drugs to be picked up. Any adverse events with this or any other medication should be reported to the FDA MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program at www.FDA.gov/Medwatch.