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Update:
- A nationwide laxative recall has been expanded for a third time, this time internationally.
- More than 55 laxatives sold under various brand names at major pharmacies are now named in the Vi-Jon LLC Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution recall after at least three reports of adverse reactions.
- On Aug. 4, Vi-Jon LLC announced it expanded its recall of Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution to include products that were distributed in the United States, Canada and Panama.
- The recall list now includes 58 laxative products — sold under various brands — in the flavors cherry, lemon and grape. Check here for the latest list of recalled products.
- The affected products were found to contain the bacteria Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens, which can increase the risk of invasive infections for immunocompromised people that could lead to serious, life-threatening adverse health consequences.
Laxative recall overview:
- Who: Vi-Jon LLC is voluntarily recalling more than 50 laxatives sold at leading pharmacies under various brands.
- Why: Some of the laxatives have tested positive for the bacteria Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens, which can increase the risk of contracting infections.
- Where: Nationwide
(July 28, 2022)
A nationwide laxative recall has been expanded for a second time, with more than 50 laxatives sold under various brand names at major pharmacies now named in the recall, after three reports of adverse reactions.
On June 22, Vi-Jon LLC, based in Smyrna, Tennessee, announced the first recall for one lot of CVS Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution Lemon Flavor on the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) website.
The affected lot of the product was found to contain the bacteria Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens, which can increase the risk of invasive infections for immunocompromised people — infections that could lead to serious, life-threatening adverse health consequences, the FDA said.
The recall has since been expanded twice, after three reports of people becoming sick.
Recall expanded twice in one month
The recall was first expanded July 15 to include all lots of Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution Lemon Flavor sold under multiple brands including Walgreens, Rite Aid and Kroger brands.
The second expanded recall was posted to the FDA website July 25, and now includes 53 products in total, including all lots of cherry- and grape-flavor Magnesium Citrate Saline Laxative Oral Solution, 10-ounce size, sold under various brand names. The full list of recalled products can be seen on the FDA’s website.
As of the third recall, Vi-Jon said it had become aware of three reports of “serious adverse reactions” potentially related to the products.
“Vi-Jon, LLC is in the process of investigating these reports,” the FDA noice says.
The company is not currently facing legal action over the recall, but Top Class Actions follows recalls closely as they sometimes lead to class action lawsuits.
Vi-Jon said it is notifying its customers by phone and email and is arranging for return or destruction of all recalled products.
“Consumers that have this recalled product should stop using and return any remaining product to the place of purchase,” it said.
Are you affected by this product recall? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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84 thoughts onLaxative recall expands internationally and includes more flavors
Yes I have and been mighty sick. Now I may know the cause since other things were ruled out.
Add U again: Oh my God! WE used these products daily! Just to think again, what all this stuff is doing in my body, causing me have this terrible feeling daily; I can’t explain it, or how it makes me feel except nauseated, all I want do is go lay down all the time; bloated, less bowel movements! Etc.,
I have had stomach issues since I had a hysterectomy when I was 31 (I am now 46). I lost a lot of weight in 2021-2022 and scheduled to have a tummy tuck done in June of 2022. A week before I had it done, I used Magnesium Citrate to clean out my bowels (as I have done many times in the past) before surgery to clean me out so I would not have to worry about being constipated right after surgery. Since then, I have had nothing but (new) trouble with my stomach. I went through a spell at the end of July into late August where I had no energy at all and a lot of stomach related issues. So, I went to my doctor who ran a lot of tests and could not find anything wrong with me. Here it is around 6 months later, and I am still having problems. I did not know about the recall and have still been using magnesium citrate (Last bottle about a week ago). I am a nurse, and at my facility, we were never informed about the recall. The only reason I found out was because we ran out of stock and we had a patient that needed it and when we tried to order it, it was not available (not recalled), so we went to a local pharmacy to purchase for the patient and was informed that they were instructed to pull it off the shelf. But they did not say when or why. I Have used this for years and have always kept plenty on stock, because I like to keep a couple in the refrigerator to help them go down smoother. So, when I would buy them, I would buy 6-10 at a time, due to me having Gastroparesis and IBS-C, so I need help at least twice per month. So if anyone has any further info on this please let me know.
I have been consuming this product for over 8 years as part of my daily medicinal regimen. My gastroenterologist is very well aware and recommended small doses to start with. If no success then increase intake. My Primary physician is and has always been aware of all my serious health conditions which have become life threatening. I forwarded approximately 30 pages of evidence to the FDA, then I forwarded that email to VI-Jon. I have stayed in contact with Deborah at VI-Jon as my symptoms have worsened to almost bed ridden and unable to leave my bathroom. I got violently I’ll late June 2022 and am still testing positive for this. Currently I am on my second round of Vancomycin 125mg, 2 weeks, since testing positive on September 29, 2022. When actually the results were given to me by my Primary doctor on Saturday 10/1/2022 at 10:30 with much concern. Testing positive first time was July 22, 2022 and given the vancomycin 125mg. Being violently I’ll for 3 and a half months now has stolen so much of my life. At one of the most emotional time in my life, this happened as my ex-husband recently filed for divorce (due to my health conditions) and we were in the thick of it. So that being said, he along with the courts took advantage of my incapabilities. It literally feels like something is eating away at you from the inside, like something rotting. The abdominal pain is debilitating, extreme difficulty to stand, etc. Not to mention the violent vomiting, severe diarrhea, fever, body aches, chills, severe headache and then the crippling nausea that leaves you so depressed and isolated from any kind of normal activity. Since August my youngest Son (27) has been my care giver everyday with perhaps a break with the help of his girlfriend or a friend of mine. Just when I thought my life was going to turnaround and give me a second chance to live it… bacterial contaminates were verified to be in Magnesium citrate, every flavor, which again I have consumed for the last 8 years almost daily. VI-JON States specifically that you much have tested positive for Gluconacetobactor Liquefaciens otherwise you’re fine. I was never contacted about this recall once. Again I’ve been taking daily for 8 years now, since 2014. I’m not looking for a class action, I’m looking for a personal injury lawsuit as VI-Jon wants me to complete their “Personal Injury Claim Form” to them directly and forward it to their attorneys. VI-Joh I’d responsible for this mistake, the FDA agrees. I’m 57 years old and feel VI-Jon be held responsible for everyone’s illnesses caused by their products. My life has changed drastically as I absolutely have a compromised immune system. I’m so sorry to hear these stories, I will pray that’s all I can do. I would like VI-Jon to do the right thing here, as this was their mistake. I’m fighting every day to no avail and feel should this contamination takes me that my Son be taken care of as he’s been so selfless and is literally watching his mother suffer every day while suffering with worry, concern, anxiety also quitting his job to give me 100% his care. This is not just a little bug/virus. This is a serious mistake as people are at risk for death, I know I am. Starting feeling I’ll first week of July 2022 (countless Covid tests all negative) and it is now 10/11/22, I feel there is no positive outcome for me as my symptoms continue to affect my body. My physicians are extremely concerned as well. My prayers and healing thoughts are to all who have been affected by this recall. Thank you
How are you testing positive for Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens? Vi-Jon, CDC, many doctors (including gastroenterologists, surgeon, and infectious disease specialists), and multiple labs tell me they don’t know how to test for it! I’ve been dealing with multiple bouts of diarrhea daily for nearly 2 years — immediately after consuming Vi-Jon’s magnesium citrate before gut surgery!! The major surgery caused immunosuppression, which made me more susceptible to microbial infection. I was stuck in the hospital for 3 weeks with a paralytic ileus — my life depended on TPN via PICC line, NG tubes, abdominal injections, etc.! I very nearly died — most traumatic experience of my entire life!! Every other cause of chronic watery diarrhea has been ruled out. 14 days on [insanely expensive] Xifaxan did not work. Vi-Jon and doctors say they don’t know how to test for this, let alone treat it. I’m only finding 1 documented case of human infection with this microbe, and it took multiple rounds of various antibiotics to kill it. PLEASE ADVISE, if you have any information about testing and/or treatment!! Thank you!
I used about 6 this year before the recall. I got it from Cvs, Walmart and Publix.