FDA Warns against Using Nonapproved Medications in Intrathecal Pumps
November 21, 2018 | Strategic Insights for Health System
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Risks are associated with pairing intrathecal implanted pumps and pain medications that are unapproved for use with the devices, warned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on November 14, 2018. Intrathecal implanted pumps are medical devices that are surgically implanted under the skin and used to dispense fluid and prescription medicines into the body, including into spinal fluid, FDA said. Clinicians may have used these devices to dispense unapproved pain medicines such as hydromorphone, bupivacaine, fentanyl, and clonidine, FDA said.