MHRA Class 2 Medicines Recall: Stemetil 5mg/5ml Syrup (Aventis Pharma Limited (t/a Sanofi))

Drug alert number: EL(22)A/41

Date issued: 06 October 2022

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a class 2 medicines recall for:

Stemetil 5mg/5ml Syrup PL 04425/0595

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient: Prochlorperazine mesilate

Brief description of the problem

Sanofi is recalling all batches of the above product as a precautionary measure due to the identification of N nitrosomethylphenylamine (NMPA) above the acceptable limit. Nitrosamines may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels and over long periods of time.

Advice for healthcare professionals

Stop supplying the above batch immediately. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your supplier using your supplier’s approved process.

Healthcare professionals should advise patients undergoing treatment not to discontinue Stemetil Syrup without consulting with their prescriber. If this medicine was abruptly withdrawn, there is a possibility of the return of symptoms for which Stemetil Syrup was prescribed, and more rarely, withdrawal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, insomnia and movement disorders.

Based on the available data, there is no immediate risk to patients who have been taking this medication. Patients should be advised to discuss any questions or concerns with their prescribing healthcare professional.

Full drug alert can be viewed here.

Advice for patients

• Stemetil Syrup should not be stopped without talking to your prescriber. Based on current evidence, there is no immediate risk to patients who have been taking this medication.
• However, the Marketing Authorisation Holder will be stopping further supply of Stemetil Syrup following laboratory test results demonstrating excess levels of a chemical impurity that may potentially increase the risk of cancers if taken for a long time.
• Your prescriber should review your treatment and consider switching to a suitable alternative going forward.

Further Information

For stock control enquiries please contact:

GB-CustomerServices@sanofi.com

Phone number: 0800 854 430

For more information or medical information please contact:

uk-medicalinformation@sanofi.com

Phone number: 0800 035 25 25.