Products Affected - Description

Reason for the Shortage

• Hospira states the shortage of zinc chloride injection is due to manufacturing delays.
• Hospira is the only manufacturer of zinc chloride injection.
• American Regent had temporarily suspended manufacture of most drug products in April, 2011.
• American Regent resumed manufacturing in Shirley, New York in early-May, 2011.

Available Products

No presentations are readily available.

Estimated Resupply Dates

• Hospira has zinc chloride 1 mg/mL 10 mL vial on back order and the company estimates a release date of June 2013.
• American Regent has zinc sulfate 5 mg/mL 5 mL vials on back order and the company cannot estimate a release date. Zinc sulfate 1 mg/mL 10 mL vials are available in limited supply at wholesalers or for drop shipment. The 10 mL vials expire on 7/31/13.

Safety

Monitor patients for signs and symptoms of zinc deficiency. Pediatric patients are particularly susceptible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published reports of zinc deficiency in premature infants due to the nationwide shortage of zinc.

Alternative Agents & Management

• Reserve supplies for neonatal or pediatric patients or other vulnerable groups such as patients with short bowel or malabsorption syndromes.
• Avoid use of pediatric trace elements for adult patients.
• Adult trace element products are not recommended for pediatric patients.
• Consider oral or enteral multi-vitamin or multi-mineral products for supplementation if possible.
• Avoid using trace elements additives in IV fluids.
• Increase vigilance of signs and symptoms of trace element deficiencies. Symptoms of zinc deficiency may include dermatitis, impaired wound healing, alopecia, immune insufficiency, anorexia, growth failure, delayed sexual maturation, decreased taste sensitivity, and poor night vision.
• Purchase only the supply needed, do not stockpile.

Related Shortages

• Alcohol Dehydrated Injection (Ethanol)
• Allopurinol Injection
• Amifostine Injection
• Azathioprine Injection
• Colchicine Tablets— Resolved
• Dexrazoxane Injection
• Drotrecogin Alfa (Activated) Injection— No Longer Available
• Foscarnet Injection— Resolved
• Leucovorin Calcium Injection
• Levocarnitine Injection
• Mechlorethamine Hydrochloride Injection— Resolved
• Metyrosine Capsules
• Octreotide Injection
• Sodium Fluoride Oral Drops— Resolved
• Surgical Lubricant— Resolved
• Trace Elements Injection

Updated

May 20, 2013; May 9,2013; April 11, 2013; March 1, 2013; January 24, 2013; January 9, 2013; December 10, 2012; September 19, 2012; July 31, 2012; May 18, 2012; April 24, 2012; March 5, 2012; February 22, 2012; February 7, 2012; January 18, 2012; January 3, 2012; November 30, 2011; October 20, 2011; October 4, 2011; September 28, 2011; August 30, 2011; August 8, 2011; July 22, 2011; July 12, 2011; June 29, 2011; May 11, 2011; May 6, 2011; April 25, 2011; March 29, 2011; March 10, 2011; 2011; June 23, 2011; June 3, 2011; May 31, February 25, 2011; February 22, 2011; February 2, 2011; December 28, 2010; December 15, 2010, University of Utah, Drug Information Service. Copyright 2013, Drug Information Service, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.