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Urgent Enforcement Amended Final

Arixtra Recall: Needle Iron Particle Discoloration in Pre-filled Syringes

Favicon for www.bfarm.de BfArM Drug Safety Communications
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Summary

BfArM issued a Drug Safety Communication regarding Viatris Healthcare Limited's Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium) pre-filled syringes. Reports indicate brown discoloration and blockage in needles caused by oxidized iron particles. Affected batches must not be dispensed or administered if discoloration is observed.

What changed

BfArM published a Direct Healthcare Professional Communication regarding a quality defect in Viatris Healthcare Limited's Arixtra (fondaparinux sodium) pre-filled syringes. The defect involves brown discoloration and blockage in needles caused by oxidized iron particles. The recall affects pre-filled syringes that may contain extraneous iron particles in the needle assembly.

Healthcare providers and pharmacies should immediately quarantine and stop dispensing any Arixtra syringes showing discoloration at the needle base. Patients currently using Arixtra should be monitored, and any suspected adverse reactions related to iron particle contamination should be reported. This quality defect poses a risk to patient safety if contaminated product is administered.

What to do next

  1. Quarantine affected Arixtra pre-filled syringes with discolored needle bases
  2. Do not dispense or administer Arixtra if needle discoloration is observed
  3. Monitor for updates from BfArM or Viatris Healthcare

Archived snapshot

Apr 12, 2026

GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.

Direct Healthcare Professional Communication (DHPC) on Arixtra: Serious quality defect related to the needle in pre-filled syringe

2026.02.06

Active substance: fondaparinux sodium

The company Viatris Healthcare Limited informs about reports of brown discoloration and blockage in the needle of Arixtra pre-filled syringes, which is related to the presence of an extraneous iron particle inside the needle which has oxidized. If the needle base in the pre-filled syringe is discolored, do not dispense or administer Arixtra.

Download DHPC/Information letter, DownloadVeroeffentlichtAmEN

2026.02.06

PDF, 722KB, File does not meet accessibility standards

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Last updated

Classification

Agency
BfArM
Filed
February 6th, 2026
Instrument
Enforcement
Legal weight
Binding
Stage
Final
Change scope
Substantive

Who this affects

Applies to
Pharmaceutical companies Healthcare providers Patients
Industry sector
3254 Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Activity scope
Drug recall Quality defect response Patient safety alert
Geographic scope
Germany DE

Taxonomy

Primary area
Pharmaceuticals
Operational domain
Clinical Operations
Compliance frameworks
GxP
Topics
Product Safety Healthcare

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