Atracurium Besylate Injection, USP, 50 mg per 5 mL (10 mg per mL), Rx Only, 5 mL Single-Dose Vial...

FDA Drug Recall #D-0398-2015 — Class II — February 23, 2015

Recall Summary

Recall Number D-0398-2015
Classification Class II — Moderate risk
Date Initiated February 23, 2015
Status Terminated
Voluntary Voluntary: Firm initiated

Recalling Firm

Firm Sagent Pharmaceuticals Inc
Location Schaumburg, IL
Product Type Drugs
Quantity 140,720 vials

Product Description

Atracurium Besylate Injection, USP, 50 mg per 5 mL (10 mg per mL), Rx Only, 5 mL Single-Dose Vial, For Intravenous Injection, Mfd. for: Sagent Pharmaceuticals, Schaumberg, IL 60195, NDC 25021-659-05

Reason for Recall

Lack of Assurance of Sterility: Recall initiated due to FDA observations pertaining to aseptic and GMP practices at the manufacturers site potentially impacting product sterility.

Distribution Pattern

Nationwide and Puerto Rico

Lot / Code Information

Lot Numbers: VATA012, Exp 11/15; VATA015, Exp 08/16

Other Recalls from Sagent Pharmaceuticals Inc

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D-0764-2023 Class II Nafcillin for Injection, USP, 10 gram per Pharm... May 19, 2023
D-0762-2023 Class II Nafcillin for Injection, USP, 1 gram per vial, ... May 19, 2023
D-0763-2023 Class II Nafcillin for Injection, USP, 2 gram per vial, ... May 19, 2023
D-0435-2023 Class II Heparin Sodium Injection, USP, 20,000 USP units... Feb 28, 2023
D-0305-2021 Class II Phenylephrine HCl Injection, USP, 10 mg per mL,... Mar 11, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

cGMP stands for Current Good Manufacturing Practice — the FDA's regulations governing drug manufacturing quality. A cGMP recall means the company failed to follow required manufacturing standards. This could involve inadequate testing, poor environmental controls, documentation failures, or process deviations. cGMP recalls do not always mean the product is directly harmful — in many cases, quality records are insufficient to confirm the product meets specifications. However, the FDA requires a recall because without proper documentation, product quality cannot be assured. These are often Class II or Class III recalls.

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.