Health Warnings & Product Alerts

The issue:

Health Canada is advising Canadians that Vétoquinol N.-A., the distributor, has voluntarily expanded the December 2009 recall of the prescription veterinary drug Longisil (DIN 00461679) to include one new lot, due to an unusually high number of reports of allergic reactions in animals treated with this lot. Longisil is a form of penicillin available by prescription from a veterinarian.

Who is affected:

Veterinarians, livestock producers and pet owners whose animals, particularly cats and dogs, are being treated with Longisil for infection.

What consumers should do:

* Livestock producers and pet owners whose animals are being treated with Longisil should contact their veterinarian immediately if they notice any symptoms of an allergic reaction following treatment with this drug.
* Contact Vétoquinol N.-A. at 1-800-363-1700 for more information.
* Report any adverse reactions related to Longisil to the distributor (Vétoquinol N.-A.) and to Health Canada (see below).

What Health Canada is doing:

Vétoquinol N.-A., the Canadian distributor, continues to investigate the cause of the allergic reactions with the recalled lots of the prescription veterinary drug Longisil. Health Canada is working with the distributor to help the distributor resolve this issue.

Background:

Longisil is a form of penicillin that is administered by injection and is used to treat various infections in large animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs and horses, and also in smaller domestic animals, such as in cats and dogs. Longisil is available by prescription from a veterinarian.

Vétoquinol N.-A. Inc. has informed Health Canada of adverse reactions occurring since December 2009 from two lots of Longisil as indicated below. Recent additional reports, provided by the distributor, of 12 dogs and one cat developing swelling and hives within minutes or hours of receiving an injection have led to the continued recall of this product. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from mild to life threatening reactions and can include skin rashes, swelling and difficulty breathing and/or swallowing.

Products affected by the new recall:

   1. Longisil, Lot # 0083 (0083-01) - 100 ml vial
   2. Longisil, Lot # 0083 (0083-02) - 250 ml vial
   3. Longisil, Lot # 0083 (0083-03) - 500 ml vial

Products affected by the December 30, 2009 recall:

   1. Longisil, Lot # 9224 (9224-01) - 100 ml vial
   2. Longisil, Lot # 9224 (9224-02) - 250 ml vial
   3. Longisil, Lot # 9224 (9224-03) - 500 ml vial

For more information:

Consumers and health professionals wanting more information about this advisory from Health Canada can contact the Public Enquiries Line at 613-957-2991, or toll free at 1-866-225-0709.

Media enquiries related to this Advisory should be directed to Health Canada Media Relations at 613-957-2983.

How to report side effects to health products:

To report suspected adverse reaction to these or other health products, please contact the Pharmacovigilance Unit, Veterinary Drugs Directorate of Health Canada toll-free at 1-877-VET-REAC (1-877-838-7322) or by using one of these methods:

    * Fax: 613-946-1125
    * E-mail: pharmacovigilance-vet@hc-sc.gc.ca
    * Internet: Adverse Drug Reactions (Pharmacovigilance)
    * Mail: Pharmacovigilance Unit
      Veterinary Drugs Directorate
      Health Canada
      Ground Floor, Suite 14
      11 Holland Avenue, Holland Cross Complex
      Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 3000 A
      K1A 0K9