Nicorette (nicotine polacrilex) Lozenges Mini, 2 mg, Original Flavor, 20 Lozenge, 27 Lozenge, 81 ...
FDA Drug Recall #D-1245-2014 — Class III — February 20, 2014
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | D-1245-2014 |
| Classification | Class III — Low risk |
| Date Initiated | February 20, 2014 |
| Status | Terminated |
| Voluntary | Voluntary: Firm initiated |
Recalling Firm
| Firm | GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare; dba-GlaxoSmithKline |
| Location | Aiken, SC |
| Product Type | Drugs |
| Quantity | 834,072 81 ct Vials, 414,500 20 ct Vials, 9456 135 ct Vials |
Product Description
Nicorette (nicotine polacrilex) Lozenges Mini, 2 mg, Original Flavor, 20 Lozenge, 27 Lozenge, 81 Lozenge and 135 Lozenge Vials, OTC. Distributed by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, LP, Moon Township, PA 15108, Made in Switzerland. 20 Count NDC: 0135-0508-04, 27 Count NDC: 0135-0508-03, 81 Count NDC: 0135-0508-02, 135 Count NDC: 0125-0508-03.
Reason for Recall
Failed Lozenge Specifications; Lozenges are overly thick, overly soft, and sub and superpotent.
Distribution Pattern
U.S. Nationwide
Lot / Code Information
(20 ct) Lot #13444 (exp 05/14), 13486 (exp 06/14), 13547 (exp 06/14), 13619 (exp 06/14), 13675 (exp 07/14), 13833 (exp 11/14), 13921 (exp 11/14), 14008 (exp 1/15), 14150 (exp 4/15), 14195 (exp 4/15), 14260 (exp 7/15), 14286 (exp 7/15), 14379 (exp 9/15), 14428 (exp 9/15), 14463 (exp9/15) & 14507 (exp 10/15); (27 ct) Lot: 14190 (exp 5/15), 14383 (exp 9/15); (81 ct) Lot # 13374 (exp 4/14), 13392 (exp 4/14), 13445 (exp 5/14), 13487 (exp 6/14), 13559 (exp 6/14), 13575 (exp 7/14), 13594 (exp 7/14), 13678 (exp 8/14), 13737 (exp 9/14), 13797 (exp 10/14), 13817 (exp 11/14), 13891 (exp 11/14), 13996 (exp 1/15), 14104 (exp 3/15), 14127 (exp 4/15), 14131 (exp 4/15), 14137 (exp 4/15), 14142 (exp 4/15), 14149 (exp 4/15), 14186 (exp 5/15), 14198 (exp 5/15), 14259 (exp 7/15), 14354 (exp 9/15), 14355 (exp 9/15), 14438 (exp 10/15), 14455 (exp 10/15) & 14477 (ex[ 10/15); (135 ct) Lot #12J08N (exp 8/14), 12K06N (exp 8/14), 12K30N (exp 8/14), 12L18N (exp 8/14), 13B04N (exp 11/14), 13C11N (exp 8/15), 13F18N (exp 5/15), 13H05N (exp 5/15), 13I12N (exp 5/15), 13I28N (exp 5/15), 13K12N (exp 9/15), 13K19N (exp 9/15), 13K20N (exp 9/15).
Other Recalls from GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare; ...
| Recall # | Classification | Product | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-1247-2014 | Class III | Nicorette Lozenge and NicoDerm CQ, nicotine pol... | Feb 20, 2014 |
| D-1241-2014 | Class III | Nicotine polacrilex lozenge, 2 mg, Original Fla... | Feb 20, 2014 |
| D-1244-2014 | Class III | Nicorette Lozenge, Nicoderm CQ, and Nicorette ... | Feb 20, 2014 |
| D-1246-2014 | Class III | Nicorette (nicotine polacrilex) Lozenges Mini, ... | Feb 20, 2014 |
| D-1238-2014 | Class III | Nicotine polacrilex lozenge, 2 mg, Cherry Flavo... | Feb 20, 2014 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Stop taking the medication and contact your pharmacist or doctor immediately. For Class I recalls, this is urgent. For Class II or III recalls, consult your doctor before stopping — abruptly discontinuing certain medications (blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, diabetes medications) can be more harmful than continuing while arranging a replacement. Check whether the recall applies to your specific lot number and expiration date. Return the product to your pharmacy and report any adverse effects to FDA MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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.