A laxative was recently found to contain a bacterium called Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens, leading the manufacturer to voluntarily recall their products. Vi-Jon, LLC makes magnesium citrate saline laxatives sold under multiple brand names. Magnesium citrate is an over-the-counter laxative that comes as a liquid to be used for the relief of occasional constipation. It is typically supplied in a clear plastic or glass bottle. Magnesium citrate generally works to relieve constipation with ½ to 6 hours.
On July 25th 2022, Vi-Jon, LLC announced an expansion of their voluntary recall of magnesium citrate products. Earlier in July they recalled all lots of the lemon-flavored product in 10 oz bottles even those within their expiration date. The expanded recall on July 25th extended the recall to all flavors of the magnesium citrate product including all lot numbers cherry and grape flavors within their expiration dates. On August 4th 2022, the recall was again expanded to include products distributed within the United States, Canada, and Panama. The concern comes from the bacterium found by third party microbial testing within the product. The bacterium Gluconacetobacter liquefaciens could lead to potentially serious and life-threatening adverse health consequences, particularly in people with compromised immune systems (ex. Cancer or those on medications that lower the immune system). There have been reports of 3 serious adverse reactions related to this recall according to the company’s announcement.
Read our blog about Irritable Bowel Syndrome here.
If you have a magnesium citrate laxative product and are not sure whether your product has been recalled, there is a complete list of specific products included in the recall on the FDA website which includes the manufacturer’s announcement (see resource one below). Per the announcement, affected products include generic brands like CVS, equate, HEB, Kroger, Rite Aid, and Walgreens brands.
The announcement indicates that consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Vi-Jon, LLC by e-mail ([email protected]) Monday-Friday, from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Central Time. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product. If you’ve experienced an adverse reaction or problem with a magnesium citrate product described in this recall, you can report it to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program either online, by mail, or by fax. Resource two below is a link to the FDA’s information for online reports.
Resources:
1) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/vi-jon-llc-expands-voluntary-worldwide-recall-all-flavors-and-lots-within-expiry-magnesium-citrate
2) https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program/reporting-serious-problems-fda
3) www.vijon.com
