FDA extends shelf life of certain IV solutions in short supply

Hospitals may use certain intravenous solutions made by Baxter Healthcare Corp. beyond the labeled expiration date due to the ongoing shortage of IV solutions used in critical care, the Food and Drug Administration announced today. Health care professionals should squeeze the bags before use and not use them if leaks are found, the agency said. The products should continue to be stored as labeled, and should be replaced and properly disposed of as soon as possible if replacement product becomes available during the extension period, FDA said.