1 Director, Office of Medical Research, A. H. Robins Company, Inc, 1211 Sherwood Ave, Richmond, VA 23220
In Reply.
We read with interest and due concern the letter of Dr Jordan et al about the potential risk of benzyl alcohol toxicity in premature newborns who received infusions of Dopram Injectable (containing benzyl alcohol 0.9% as a preservative) for treatment of apnea.
In May 1982, the Food and Drug Administration issued a "Dear Doctor" letter and, in August 1982, published an article in the FDA Drug Bulletin raising concerns about the use of solutions containing benzyl alcohol or other prcservatives in treating newborns.