Lilly issues warning over alcohol prep pads associated with Forteo

INDIANAPOLIS — Drug maker Eli Lilly is warning patients to avoid using alcohol prep pads that come with one of its osteoporosis drugs due to the risk of bacterial infections.

Lilly said Thursday that patients should not use pads made by the Triad Group contained in the black starter kits for Forteo (teriparatide [rDNA origin]). Triad is recalling prep pads due to potential contamination with Bacillus cereus, which can cause life-threatening infections in some patients. The recall does not affect the delivery device of Forteo, which is used for preventing bone fractures in men and postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Several companies, including Genentech and Bayer, have warned patients not to use Triad Group prep pads included with their drugs since Triad began the recall in January.