Risk of latex allergy from medication vial closures

A latex allergy, like all allergies, is a serious matter that requires special precautions on behalf of patients and healthcare workers. The FDA final rule on the labeling of natural rubber-containing medical devices will assist in the creation of a latex-safe environment for latex-sensitive individuals. Currently, this ruling does not apply to medication vial closures that contain latex. Until further action by the FDA, the only way to determine whether a medication vial closure contains latex is by directly contacting the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Moreover, in order to rule whether special labeling should be mandatory for latex-containing medication vials, additional evidence is needed to clarify whether exposure to trace amounts of latex from a medication vial stopper can cause allergic reactions in individuals who are sensitive to latex.

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				R. G. Hamilton, R. H. Brown, M. A. Veltri, E. R. Feroli, M. N. Primeau, J. F. Schauble, and N. F. Adkinson Jr. Administering pharmaceuticals to latex-allergic patients from vials containing natural rubber latex closures Am. J. Health Syst. Pharm., September 1, 2005; 62(17): 1822 - 1827. [Full Text] [PDF]