Fire Safety
Fires Prompt Warning Letter, Ultane Label Change
Abbott Laboratories sent more than 50,000 anesthetists a letter last month that warned of possible fires or extreme heat in the respiratory circuits of anesthesia machines when Ultane (sevoflurane) is used along with a desiccated carbon dioxide absorbent.

After receiving reports of fires in the United States, Abbott began working with the FDA several months ago to change the dosing and administration passages in Ultane's package insert, says Ann Fahey-Widman, Abbott's senior manager of public affairs for pharmaceuticals.