The FDA prolonged the shelf life of numerous IV solutions manufactured by Baxter International amid an ongoing nationwide shortage.
Here are four things to know.
1. Healthcare providers may now use eight different IV products beyond their labeled expiration dates, with shelf-life extensions ranging from 21 days to five months.
- The agency is not requiring providers to relabel IV products with new use dates, but does expect them to replace older IV solutions if newer products become available.
- The FDA also recommends healthcare providers squeeze bags prior to use to check for leaks.
- Baxter, the biggest supplier of large saline bags, has three manufacturing plants in Puerto Rico, which all lost power after Hurricane Maria. The plants regained power in early January, and the FDA is confident the shortage will soon abate.
To view the full list of products with extended shelf lives, click here.