New Product to Stop Bleeding - Could Name Be Confused?

A new OTC product that "stops bleeding instantly" is now available. QR (which stands for Quick Relief) powder is designed to instantly form a "Hematrix" scab (trademark name for a polymeric scab) once the powder and slight pressure are applied to the wound. The manufacturers claim the scab is more flexible than a natural-forming scab, and it seals the wound from infection and contamination without staining or scarring the skin. The powder, which offers people an alternative to traditional treatments like bandages and gauze, has been classified by the FDA in the "safest" category. The topical brown powder is a mixture of potassium salt and hydrophilic polymers, designed to absorb and bind water and stop bleeding when swabbed on nosebleeds or sprinkled on minor cuts and scrapes. The powder is available in 4 products: UrgentQR, SportsQR, NosebleedQR, and Kid'sQR, which is formulated to be more gentle for children. The other three are essentially the same powder sold in different packages. The UrgentQR product is being used in roughly 300 hospitals throughout the country, and members of the NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLB, as well as various college sporting programs, reportedly use the SportsQR product. In a small study to evaluate effectiveness of the UrgentQR powder, it was used in a hospital emergency room to treat a total of 45 patients presenting with a variety of wounds (skin tears, nosebleeds, punctures, etc.). Forty-three of the 45 patients had their bleeding stopped within one minute, and 30 of those stopped bleeding within 15 seconds after applying the QR powder. Upon researching the Quick Relief powder, a product with a similar name was found. Another powder with the abbreviation QR is available, but is certainly not intended to stop bleeding. Rather, the QR in this product stands for Quick Return, and is used as a compost activator. The powder, when mixed with water and spread over a compost pile, claims to "easily and rapidly reduce all your waste vegetable material to rich humus." The Quick Relief product has indications of being not only highly effective, but also very safe as well. However, the similarity in names and forms of these products is a good recipe for a possible error. When recommending the Quick Relief product to patients to stop bleeding, the pharmacist should explain what the QR abbreviation stands for as well as ensuring that the patient understands its intended use. This is particularly important in settings where the pharmacy is located within a large retail setting, where they may stock both QR powders. When possible, the pharmacist should hand the product to the patient to ensure that they are getting the correct product, thereby preventing any misunderstandings or errors. For more information regarding the Quick Relief products, visit www.biolife.com. Return to Top