Cetirizine HCl 10 mg Tablet, 14 count blister packs, sold over the counter under the following br...
FDA Drug Recall #D-0525-2016 — Class III — September 28, 2015
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | D-0525-2016 |
| Classification | Class III — Low risk |
| Date Initiated | September 28, 2015 |
| Status | Terminated |
| Voluntary | Voluntary: Firm initiated |
Recalling Firm
| Firm | Perrigo Company PLC |
| Location | Allegan, MI |
| Product Type | Drugs |
| Quantity | 209,256 cartons |
Product Description
Cetirizine HCl 10 mg Tablet, 14 count blister packs, sold over the counter under the following brands, GoodSense brand distributed by Perrigo, Allegan, MI; Equaline brand distributed by; Supervalu Inc, Eden Prairie, MN (NDC 41163-458-66); Good Neighbor Pharmacy brand, distributed by AmerisourceBergen, Chesterbrook, PA (NDC 24385-998-74); HEB brand, San Antonio, TX (NDC 37808-458-66); Rexall brand Packaged for Dolgencorp LLC, Goodlettsville, TN (NDC 55910-699-66 UPC: 370030659432), HyVee brand, distributed by Hy-Vee Inc., West Des Mones, IA (NDC 42507-458-66); Smart Sense brand distributed by Kmart Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL (NDC 49738-458-66); Kroger brand distributed by The Kroger Co, Cincinnati, OH (NDC 30142-458-66); Leader brand distributed by Cardinal Health, Dublin, OH (NDC 49781-106-14; CVS Pharmacy brand distributed by CVS Pharmacy, Inc., Woonsocket, RI (NDC 59779-458-66); Healthy Accents brand distributed by DZA Brands, LLC, Salisbury, NC (NDC 55316-458-66); Safeway Care brand distributed by Safeway Inc., Pleasanton, CA (NDC 21130-458-66); Topcare brand distributed by Topsco Associates, LLC, Skokie, IL (NDC 36800-458-66); Wal-Zyr brand distributed by Walgreens Co, Deerfield, IL (NDC 0363-0495-66); Being Well brand distributed by Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Ltd, Earth City, MO (NDC 46994-458-66); CareOne brand distributed by FoodHold, USA LLC, Landover, MD (NDC 41520-458-66); Shoprite brand distributed by Wakefern Food, Corp, Keasbey, NJ (NDC 41190-458-66 UPC: 041190223343); Shopko brand distributed by Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC, Green Bay, WI (NDC 37012-458-66 UPC: 370030677689); Western Family brand distributed by Western Family Foods, Inc., Portland, OR (NDC 55312-458-66 UPC: 015400121026)
Reason for Recall
Failed Impurity/Degradations Specifications; impurity identified as cetirizine monosaccharide ester
Distribution Pattern
Nationwide
Lot / Code Information
Batches: Exp 05/16: 4GE1457; 4GE1500; 4GE1819; 4GE1893; 4HE1255; 4HE1396; 4HE1620; 4HE1656; 4HE1811; 4JE1035; 4JE1212; 4JE1324; 4JE1513; and 4KE1377
Other Recalls from Perrigo Company PLC
| Recall # | Classification | Product | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-0623-2022 | Class II | No Drip Nasal Spray, Oxymetazoline HCl 0.05% Na... | Oct 26, 2021 |
| D-0601-2022 | Class II | Acetaminophen Child Bubble Gum Flavored Oral Su... | Oct 26, 2021 |
| D-0580-2022 | Class II | Children's Pain & Fever Bubblegum Flavored Ace... | Oct 26, 2021 |
| D-0607-2022 | Class II | Severe Congestion Nasal Spray, No Drip Plus Men... | Oct 26, 2021 |
| D-0624-2022 | Class II | Maximum Strength No Drip Nasal Spray, Oxymetazo... | Oct 26, 2021 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Nitrosamines are probable human carcinogens — they can increase cancer risk with long-term exposure above certain thresholds, but they do not cause immediate harm from taking a single dose. The FDA calculates an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for each nitrosamine compound, and recalls are triggered when levels exceed this threshold. If you have been taking a recalled product, the FDA generally advises against abruptly stopping your medication (especially for critical conditions like blood pressure or diabetes) until you consult your doctor. The incremental cancer risk from short-term exposure is very small.
Not necessarily. Many drug recalls are initiated because of quality system failures or test results that suggest a product might not meet specifications — even if no patients have reported harm. The FDA uses a precautionary approach: if there is reason to believe quality standards were not met, a recall is required regardless of whether adverse effects have been reported. Class I recalls typically involve a reasonable probability of harm; Class II recalls may cause temporary health issues; Class III recalls are for products unlikely to cause adverse health consequences but that still violate regulations.
Pharmacies typically receive recall notices directly from drug wholesalers and manufacturers within days of the recall being announced. Your pharmacist can look up whether any product in your prescription history matches a recalled lot number. For current recalls, the FDA publishes updates at FDA.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts and sends MedWatch email alerts for significant drug safety issues. You can sign up for MedWatch alerts at FDA.gov. Most major pharmacy chains also have their own recall notification systems that automatically alert pharmacists when a recalled product is in their inventory.
What Should You Do?
Stop using this medication if affected by this recall. Contact your pharmacist or prescribing doctor immediately for guidance. Do not flush medications — use a drug take-back program.