Several drug makers, including Pfizer Inc. (PFE) and Merck & Co. (MRK), are warning users of certain injectable drugs not to use the disinfecting pads or swabs that came with the drugs, citing possible contamination.

The alcohol prep pads and swabs, which are used to disinfect the skin prior to an injection, were recalled earlier this month by the supplier, Triad Group, due to concerns about potential contamination by an organism that can cause life-threatening infections. Triad, of Hartland, Wis., said it had received one report of a non-life-threatening skin infection "out of hundreds of millions of products sold."

Since Triad's recall notice, several drug makers have issued separate alerts about the recall. Pfizer and its partner Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc. (PGNX) said Tuesday they have suspended shipments of injectable formulations of anti-constipation drug Relistor until the Triad-supplied alcohol pads can be replaced. The companies said they would resume shipments as soon as possible.

A Pfizer spokesman said the suspended shipments would have no significant financial impact, and that single vials of Relistor continue to be sold.

Merck said Triad pads were distributed with Pegintron, a treatment for hepatitis C, and a related drug, Intron A, outside the U.S. Merck said drugs distributed in the U.S. aren't affected. Merck said it will begin packaging orders for the drugs without alcohol prep pads until a suitable alternative has been identified.

GlaxoSmithKline PLC (GSK) said some of the Triad pads may have been included in U.S. packaging for starter kits for the blood-thinning drug Arixtra.

Roche Holding AG (RHHBY) said Triad pads are distributed with several drugs including the Boniva bone-building drug and hepatitis C treatment Pegasys. Bayer AG (BAYRY) said the Triad pads are packaged for use in the U.S. with multiple-sclerosis drug Betaseron.

In addition, Health Canada said Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) is advising patients taking the Copaxone MS drug not to use any Triad pads.

The drug companies said their medicines weren't contaminated, and that they can continue to be used as directed, except that any Triad pads or swabs should be discarded.

Triad said in early January the recalled products were distributed in the U.S., Canada and Europe. Some were made for third parties including drug distributor Cardinal Health Inc. (CAH) and pharmacy chains Walgreen Co. (WAG) and CVS Caremark Corp. (CVS).

As alternatives, patients are advised to use pads or swabs supplied by other manufacturers, or use a gauze pad or cotton ball to administer 70% isopropyl alcohol to the injection site.

More information about the Triad recall can be found on the Food and Drug Administration's website (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm239219.htm) and Triad's website (http://www.triad-group.net/media/pdf/Recal_Facts.pdf).

A Triad spokesman couldn't immediately be reached.

-Peter Loftus, Dow Jones Newswires; +1-215-656-8289; peter.loftus@dowjones.com