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.