Refresh Lacri-Lube (Mineral Oil 42.5% and White Petrolatum 56.8%) Lubricant Eye Ointment, package...

FDA Drug Recall #D-1817-2015 — Class II — August 24, 2015

Recall Summary

Recall Number D-1817-2015
Classification Class II — Moderate risk
Date Initiated August 24, 2015
Status Terminated
Voluntary Voluntary: Firm initiated

Recalling Firm

Firm Allergan Sales, LLC
Location Waco, TX
Product Type Drugs
Quantity 320,713 tubes

Product Description

Refresh Lacri-Lube (Mineral Oil 42.5% and White Petrolatum 56.8%) Lubricant Eye Ointment, packaged in a) Net wt. 0.12 oz (3.5 g) tubes (NDC 0023-0312-04) UPC 3 0023-0312-04 2 and b) Net wt. 0.25 oz (7 g) tubes (NDC 0023-0312-07) UPC 3 0023-0312-07 3, Allergan, Inc., 2525 Dupont Drive, Irvine, CA 92612.

Reason for Recall

Presence of Particulate Matter: Due to customer complaints of small black particles, identified as part of the ointment tube cap, generated by the action of unscrewing the cap from the aluminum tube and potentially introducing the particle into the product.

Distribution Pattern

Nationwide, Puerto Rico, and Barbados

Lot / Code Information

Lot #: a) 84746, Exp 04/17; 84987, 85087, Exp 05/17; 85359, Exp 06/17; 85721, Exp 07/17; 86045, Exp 08/17; 86406, Exp 09/17; 86594, Exp 10/17; 87021, Exp 11/17; and b) 86470, Exp 09/17; 86829, Exp 10/17; 87105, Exp 11/17

Other Recalls from Allergan Sales, LLC

Recall # Classification Product Date
D-1056-2019 Class II Combigan (brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ... Mar 19, 2019
D-0078-2018 Class III Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.01%... Oct 19, 2017
D-0077-2018 Class III Combigan (brimonidine tartrate/timolol maleate ... Oct 19, 2017
D-0929-2017 Class II Blephamide (sulfacetamide sodium and prednisolo... May 1, 2017
D-0667-2017 Class III Lumigan (bimatoprost ophthalmic solution) 0.01%... Mar 16, 2017

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.