Novartis Ophthalmics voluntarily recalls GenTeal Gel, GelDrop

Novartis Ophthalmics is voluntarily recalling five lots of GenTeal Gel and two lots of GenTeal GelDrops. The lots of these products may not be sterile, and the contamination could cause infections in susceptible people.

The five lots of GenTeal Gel consist of 142,500 tubes, distributed nationwide from March to November 2004. The recalled lots include: Lot #Z12468, 10 ml, expiration date 01/2006; Lot #Z12912, 3.5 ml, expiration date 03/2006; Lot #Z12900, 10 ml, expiration date 04/2006; Lot #Z13161, 10 ml, expiration date 05/2006; and Lot #Z13314, 3.5 ml, expiration date 06/2006.

The two lots of GenTeal GelDrops consist of about 12,000 dropper bottles, distributed nationwide in October 2005. The recalled lots include Lot #51139, 15 ml, expiration date 07/2007, and Lot #51283, 25 ml, expiration date 07/2007.

The non-prescription products are used to relieve dryness of the eye.