Paralyzing Agent Recalled

Some 2640 syringes containing vecuronium are being recalled by Central Admixture Pharmacy Services Inc. for sterility concerns. A recall announcement recently added to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Enforcement Report website stated the reason for the recall was a lack of validation data for sanitization cycles.

The recall affects vecuronium, 10 mg/10 mL (1 mg/mL), 10-mL syringe (NDC 71286-6012-1), from lots 17-273867 (Exp. 9/10/23), 17-272606 (Exp. 8/20/23), 17-272225 (Exp. 8/13/23), 17-272036 (Exp. 8/9/23), 17-271503 (Exp. 7/31/23), 17-271427 (Exp. 7/30/23), 17-271264 (Exp. 7/26/23), 17-270970 (Exp. 7/23/23), 17-270784 (Exp. 7/19/23), and 17-270674 (Exp. 7/18/23).

The syringes were distributed throughout the US by CAPS, Central Admixture Pharmacy Services Inc., San Diego, California.

Central Admixture Pharmacy Services voluntarily initiated the recalls on July 17, 2023. On August 3, 2023, the FDA designated them Class II, signaling use of the product could cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. A remote possibility of serious harm also exists.

Vecuronium is a prescription muscle relaxant used before general anesthesia in preparation for surgery.