Safety Report: Acyclovir Sodium Injection- recalled due to Crystalization, USA

United States

Company name: Zydus Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Brand name: Zydus Pharmaceuticals
Product recalled: Acyclovir Sodium Injection, 50 mg/mL, 10 mL and 20 mL vials
Reason of the recall: Due to Crystalization
FDA Recall date: March 25, 2021
Recall details: Pennington, NJ, Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. is voluntarily recalling four lots of Acyclovir Sodium Injection, 50 mg/mL, 10 mL and 20 mL vials, to the Hospital/User level after receiving several complaints of crystallization in vials.

Administration of crystalized Acyclovir Sodium Injection, 50 mg/mL has a potential of life-threatening adverse consequences including injection site inflammation of a vein and local reactions, damage and/or obstruction of blood vessels, which could induce clots, particularly in the lungs, the passage of the particulate matter into the bloodstream may lead to clots resulting in stroke, heart attack, decreased liver or kidney function or death of tissues or cells.

To date, Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this product recall. Acyclovir Sodium Injection, 50 mg/mL is indicated for the treatment of herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients, severe initial clinical episodes of herpes genitalis in immuno-competent patients, herpes simplex encephalitis, neonatal herpes simplex virus infection and varicella-zoster (shingles) infections in immunocompromised patients.

The product is packaged in single-dose glass vials and was distributed nationwide in the USA to Cardinal Health, Amerisourcebergen Drug Corporation and Morris & Dickson Company LLC. The affected Acyclovir Sodium Injection, 50 mg/mL lots include the following lot numbers and expiration dates:

- Acyclovir Sodium Injection, 50 mg/mL, 20 mL. Carton NDC Number: 68382-049-10. Vial NDC Number: 68382-049-01. Lot Number: L000155. Expiry Date: Dec 2021. Pack Size: 10x20 mL, Single-Dose Vial pack.

- Acyclovir Sodium Injection, 50 mg/mL, 20 mL. Carton NDC Number: 68382-049-10. Vial NDC Number: 68382-049-01. Lot Number: L000156. Expiry Date: Jan 2022. Pack Size: 10x20 mL, Single-Dose Vial pack.

- Acyclovir Sodium Injection 50 mg/mL, 10 mL. Carton NDC Number: 68382-048-10. Vial NDC Number: 68382-048-01. Lot Number: L000126. Expiry Date: Dec 2021. Pack Size: 10x10 mL, Single-Dose Vial pack.

- Acyclovir Sodium Injection 50 mg/mL, 10 mL. Carton NDC Number: 68382-048-10. Vial NDC Number: 68382-048-01. Lot Number: L000127. Expiry Date: Dec 2021. Pack Size: 10x10 mL, Single-Dose Vial pack.

Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. has notified its distributors and customers by email and FedEx overnight courier service and is arranging for the return of all recalled Acyclovir Sodium Injection, 50 mg/mL lots. Hospitals that have the product which is being recalled should stop using it immediately and call our recall coordinating center at 1-855-671-5023 [Call: 1-855-671-5023] Monday – Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. by phone: 1-877-993-8779 [Call: 1-877-993-8779] or by email: medicalaffairs@zydususa.com Monday – Friday (excluding holidays), 9:00 am to 5:00 pm EST. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

Check the full recall details on www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/zydus-pharmaceuticals-usa-inc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-acyclovir-sodium-injection-50-mgml

Source: FDA