To date, three compounding pharmacies, all in Texas, have recalled glutathione products sold as injectable liquids: Victory Medical Center Pharmacy, Optimal Balance Pharmacy, and Centric Compounding. The recall for Centric Compounding was posted over the weekend and includes products called Myer’s Cocktail and Tri-Immune Boost.
The Mediscal glutathione was found to have elevated bacterial endotoxins. Injected use of the glutathione has led to reports of illnesses consistent with endotoxin exposure. The symptoms include: fever, chills, severe headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), changes in blood pressure, body aches, pain, malaise, symptoms resembling an allergic reaction, and signs of shock and sepsis-like symptoms.
An alert from the CDC said the illness reports have been from people in Texas, Washington, Florida, and New York. At least three people who received IV glutathione have been hospitalized. One became critically ill and required intensive care, including treatment for shock and abnormal blood clotting, the CDC said.
In its latest update, the FDA said it has continued to receive reports of illness, and the CDC similarly suggested that more cases will be reported as the investigation continues.
The FDA also noted that this is not the first time glutathione graded for dietary supplements has made its way into IVs and sickened people. The regulator sent out a similar warning about glutathione IVs in 2019, also after reports of endotoxin poisonings. In that case, at least two people were hospitalized.