The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 274 No 7333 p74
22 January 2005

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Alert issued about damage to Aventis Optipen Pro

A warning about a potential problem with Optipen Pro insulin pens, which could result in patients taking extra doses of insulin, has been issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

The MHRA has been informed by sanofi-aventis that damage can occur to an internal component of the Optipen Pro insulin pen injection system. In devices where this damage has occurred, the dosage button may not lock when it is depressed fully following the injection of the desired dose of insulin. In such cases the button returns to the start position and may lead patients to believe that the injection has not been successful.

Pharmacists should ensure that patients using the Optipen Pro insulin pen injection system are aware of the potential for the dose button to fail to engage. Patients who experience this problem with the Optipen Pro should stop using the device and replace it with a new one.