Mouthwash Issues Voluntary Recall For Being “Unsafe” For COVID-19 Patients

After being deemed “particularly unsafe” for use by COVID-19 patients, a brand of mouthwash has been recalled.

Sunstar Americas issued the voluntary recall on Monday for fears that their prescription Paroex Chlorhexidine Gluconate Oral Rinse may contain the bacteria Burkholderia lata. So far, the company has received 29 reports of exposure to the bacteria. This bacteria is “particularly unsafe” to those who have pre-existing respiratory issues, including anyone battling COVID-19, the company stated.  

Sunstar Americas warned that the use of the contaminated mouthwash might lead to “oral, and potentially, systemic infections requiring antibacterial therapy. In the most at-risk populations, the use of the defective product may result in life-threatening infections, such as pneumonia and bacteremia.”

The mouthwash was initially recalled on October 27th. At the time, Sunstar Americas only recalled the 4-ounce and 1-pint bottles of the product that had expiration dates between June 30th, 2022, and September 30th, 2022. The recall has been expanded to include all bottles of the rinse with expiration dates between December 31st, 2020, and September 30th, 2022.