A Second Pharmacy in Weeks Recalls Compounded Glutathione Injections Over Bacterial Contamination
Optimal Balance Pharmacy and Victory Medical Center Pharmacy have both pulled glutathione vials after testing found elevated bacterial endotoxin levels — a contaminant that can trigger anaphylactic shock.
Meridians Life Desk
Published 22 August 2026 · Updated 22 August 2026 · 5 min read
HealthThe short answer
- Optimal Balance Pharmacy recalled one lot of Compounded Glutathione 200 mg/mL injection (30 mL multi-dose vials, lot LG342009076) after internal testing found elevated bacterial endotoxin levels; the FDA published the recall August 20, 2026.
- Victory Medical Center Pharmacy recalled three lots of its own compounded glutathione — 1980571, 1981940 and 1984345 — for the same reason, announced August 5, 2026.
- Both companies warn that elevated endotoxins in an injectable product can cause fever, low blood pressure, inflammatory reactions, anaphylactic shock or death; reported symptoms include fever, chills, severe headache, nausea and vomiting.
- Optimal Balance's product reached clinics in 14 states; Victory Medical Center's reached Texas, Florida and New York.
Two compounding pharmacies have recalled injectable glutathione products within weeks of each other after testing found elevated levels of bacterial endotoxins — a contaminant that can trigger severe reactions when injected. Optimal Balance Pharmacy's recall was published by the FDA on August 20, 2026; Victory Medical Center Pharmacy's was announced August 5, 2026.
What was recalled
- Optimal Balance Pharmacy: Compounded Glutathione 200 mg/mL, 30 mL multi-dose vials, lot LG342009076, expiring October 4, 2026, distributed to clinics across 14 states including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New York and Texas
- Victory Medical Center Pharmacy: VMC Compounded Glutathione 200 mg/mL, lots 1980571, 1981940 and 1984345, distributed in Texas, Florida and New York
What went wrong
Both pharmacies say their own quality-control testing identified elevated bacterial endotoxin levels in the finished product. Endotoxins are components of bacterial cell walls that can trigger a strong immune response when they enter the bloodstream directly, as happens with an injection — a different and generally more serious risk than the same bacteria would pose if ingested.
The health risk
Both companies' recall notices warn that elevated endotoxins in an injectable product "could cause significant medical events including fevers, hypotension, inflammatory reactions, anaphylactic shock and death." Reported symptoms among patients include fever, chills, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, blood pressure changes, body aches and injection-site reactions.
What to do
- Stop using any vial matching the affected lot numbers
- Contact your treating clinic or provider if you've had any reaction after an injection
- Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch at 1-800-332-1088 or fda.gov/medwatch
- Optimal Balance Pharmacy: (218) 919-2964, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Central
- Victory Medical Center Pharmacy: (512) 279-0985, Monday-Saturday, hours vary
Sources
Every factual claim above is traceable to these documents. Check them — that is why they are here.
- Optimal Balance Pharmacy Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Certain Lots of Compounded Glutathione 200 mg/mL Multi-Dose Vials Due to Elevated Endotoxin LevelsU.S. Food and Drug Administration
- Victory Medical Center Pharmacy Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Certain Lots of Compounded Glutathione 200 mg/mL Multi-Dose Vials Due to Elevated Endotoxin LevelsU.S. Food and Drug Administration
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