Significant improvements are underway to enhance your member experience. This requires ASA online properties and systems to be unavailable from September 5 – 9, 2025. Here's what to expect ›
Menu
News September 16, 2013

Bupivacaine HCL Injection 0.25% (2.5 MG/ML) and Bupivacaine HCL 0.75% (7.5 MG/ML), 30 ML Single-Dose Vials by Hospira, Inc.: Recall- Presence of Particulate Matter

AUDIENCE: Pharmacy, Anesthesia, Surgery

ISSUE: Hospira, Inc. on July 12, 2013, initiated a voluntary nationwide recall to the user level for one lot of 0.25% Bupivacaine HCl Injection, USP (2.5 mg/mL), 30 mL Single-dose Vial (NDC 0409-1159-02). An expanded recall was issued on August 29, 2013 for one lot of 0.75% Bupivacaine HCl Injection, USP (7.5 mg/mL), 30 mL Single-dose Vial (NDC 0409-1165-02). Both recalls are due to confirmed customer reports of particulate floating and/or embedded in the glass vial. The particulate was identified as stainless steel ranging in size from 542 microns to 1700 microns in lot 18-136-DK (0.25% bupivacaine) and as iron oxide with an average size of 2000 microns in lot 23-338-DK (0.75% bupivacaine).

The administration of an injectable with the presence of foreign particulates may potentially cause thrombophlebitis, bacteremia, sepsis, and/or endocarditis and death may result. Signs and symptoms could include redness, pain, swelling at the site, fever, shortness of breath, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting. Depending on the particle size, if undetected, it could block administration of the diluted drug to the patient, causing a delay in therapy.

BACKGROUND: Bupivacaine is indicated for the production of local or regional anesthesia or analgesia for surgery, dental and oral surgery procedures, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and for obstetrical procedures.
Both products are packaged 25 units per carton/50 units per case in glass teartop vials. Lot 18-136-DK was distributed August 2012 through September 2012. Lot 23-338-DK was distributed January 2013 through May 2013. Both lots were distributed nationwide to wholesalers/distributors, hospitals and pharmacies.

RECOMMENDATION:  Anyone with an existing inventory should immediately quarantine any affected product and return the product to Stericycle. For contact information regarding the return of products or clinical inquiries please see the Firm Press Release1.

Healthcare professionals are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

  • Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm2
  • Download3 form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.