The CDC and FDA are investigating an outbreak of over 25 illnesses across four states linked to contaminated glutathione injections. The illnesses, emerging in July 2026, are tied to Texas compounding pharmacies using dietary supplement-grade glutathione from Medisca instead of sterile injectable-grade ingredients. This introduced bacterial endotoxins, causing severe symptoms and three hospitalizations, including one ICU admission. Three Texas pharmacies have recalled their compounded products.
Glutathione injection outbreak investigation
- ▪The outbreak of illnesses linked to glutathione injections was first reported in July 2026 when the Texas state health department notified the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about a cluster of illnesses at an outpatient wellness clinic.
- ▪At least three individuals who received intravenous glutathione injections have been hospitalized, with one patient admitted to an intensive care unit for shock and abnormal blood clotting.
- ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating an outbreak of more than 25 illnesses across four states linked to glutathione injections.
- ▪The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified cases of illness linked to glutathione injections in Texas, Washington, Florida, and New York.
Dietary supplement-grade ingredient misuse
- ▪All of the compounding pharmacies involved in the recalls obtained their dietary supplement-grade glutathione from Medisca, which is headquartered in Plattsburgh, New York.
- ▪Glutathione is a naturally produced antioxidant that is typically sold as an oral dietary supplement for skin brightening, immune support, detoxification, and increased energy.
- ▪The outbreak of illnesses was linked to compounding pharmacies using dietary supplement-grade glutathione ingredients, which are not intended for sterile injectable drugs.
- ▪There are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved glutathione products on the market.
Endotoxin contamination symptoms
- ▪Injected glutathione contaminated with bacterial endotoxins can cause symptoms including fever, chills, myalgia, headache, nausea, vomiting, hypotension, dizziness, and signs of shock or sepsis.
- ▪The Food and Drug Administration stated that exposure to excessive endotoxins can cause rapid heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, malaise, allergic-like reactions, and death.
Compounding pharmacy recalls
- ▪Optimal Balance Pharmacy in Houston, Texas, recalled one lot of 200-mg/mL multidose vials of compounded glutathione, which had been distributed to multiple states including Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Vermont.
- ▪Three compounding pharmacies in Texas—Victory Medical Center Pharmacy, Optimal Balance Pharmacy, and Centric Compounding—have recalled compounded glutathione products due to elevated bacterial endotoxin levels.
- ▪Centric Compounding of Houston, Texas, recalled six lots of glutathione multidose vials along with Myer's Cocktail and Tri-Immune Boost injectable products due to endotoxin contamination.
- ▪Victory Medical Center Pharmacy in Austin, Texas, issued a voluntary recall on August 5, 2026, for certain lots of 200-mg/mL multidose vials of compounded glutathione.
FDA regulatory response
- ▪The Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised clinicians to verify the source of glutathione used by compounders and report any adverse events.
- ▪The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert reminding compounding pharmacies not to use dietary supplement-grade glutathione in sterile injectable products.
Historical glutathione contamination incidents
- ▪The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety alert in 2019 regarding adverse events and endotoxin poisonings from glutathione intravenous injections at a United States clinic, which hospitalized at least two people.
- ▪Contaminated glutathione injections were previously linked to a 2015 outbreak of infections in Australia.
Debatable claims
- ▪Consumers should avoid non-FDA-approved IV wellness therapies
- ▪The FDA should ban compounding pharmacies from producing unapproved wellness injectables
Story comments
Loading comments…