Entecavir Tablets 0.5 mg, 30 tablets per container, Rx Only, Manufactured for: Camber Pharmaceuti...
FDA Drug Recall #D-1095-2017 — Class II — July 20, 2017
Recall Summary
| Recall Number | D-1095-2017 |
| Classification | Class II — Moderate risk |
| Date Initiated | July 20, 2017 |
| Status | Terminated |
| Voluntary | Voluntary: Firm initiated |
Recalling Firm
| Firm | Hetero USA Inc |
| Location | Piscataway, NJ |
| Product Type | Drugs |
| Quantity | 5664 bottles |
Product Description
Entecavir Tablets 0.5 mg, 30 tablets per container, Rx Only, Manufactured for: Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Piscataway, NJ 08854. By: Hetero Labs Limited, Unit V, Polepally, Jadcherla, Mahaboob Nagar - 509 301, India. NDC 31722-833-30
Reason for Recall
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specification: single unknown impurity OOS 0.33% (Limit:NMT 0.20%W/W) at the three month stability point.
Distribution Pattern
NJ
Lot / Code Information
Lot # ENT17008, Exp 01/2019
Other Recalls from Hetero USA Inc
| Recall # | Classification | Product | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-0530-2023 | Class II | Pantoprazole Sodium Delayed Release Tablets USP... | Mar 14, 2023 |
| D-0897-2017 | Class III | Acyclovir Tablets, USP, 800 mg, 100-count bottl... | Apr 27, 2017 |
| D-0623-2017 | Class III | Montelukast sodium tablets, 10 mg, 30-count bot... | Jan 7, 2017 |
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.