Reports have been sent to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about clogging problems with an acid reflux drug, which is given through oral syringes or feeding tubes, made by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Because no problems were reported by taking the drug orally, the FDA recommends that people taking this drug do so through the mouth to avoid complications. Even though Teva has voluntarily withdrawn the drug from distribution, the FDA said some of its stock may still be in pharmacies.

The drug, Lansoprazole, is a generic version of Prevacid, which inhibits acid reflux and treats ulcers. The drug is supposed to disintegrate when water is added to it, but the reports say that the tablets made by Teva may not fully disintegrate or may form clumps later on inside the walls of feeding tubes or oral syringes.

In some cases, patients had to get emergency medical attention because their feeding tubes needed to be replaced, unclogged or removed. Reports suggest that health care professionals should not use the drug and should evaluate their pharmacy inventory.

According to the FDA, the drug could possibly be sold under any of the following labels: Quality Packaging Specialist Inc., Cardinal Health, or Sharp Corporation.