Mislabeled Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets Recalled

Washington, DC: Qualitest Pharmaceuticals today issued a voluntary nationwide recall of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets, USP 10mg / 500mg, NDC 0603-3888-20, 60 count, Lot Numbers T150G10B, T120J10E and T023M10A, and Phenobarbital Tablets, USP 32.4 mg, NDC 0603-5166-32, 1000 count, Lot Numbers T150G10B, T120J10E and T023M10A.

An individual bottle of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets, USP 10mg / 500mg, NDC 0603-3888-20, 60 count was found incorrectly labeled with a Phenobarbital Tablets, USP 32.4 mg, NDC 0603-5166-32, 1000 count label, printed with Lot Number T150G10B. Lots T120J10E and T023M10A used the same stock inventory of labels as Lot T150G10B and are potentially impacted.

As a result of this mix-up patients may unintentionally take Hydrocodone and acetaminophen tablets, instead of the intended dose of Phenobarbital. Unintentional administration of Hydrocodone can lead to serious adverse events including respiratory depression, CNS depression, coma and death, especially in opioid naïve patients and patients on other CNS depressants.

Unintentional administration of acetaminophen may result in liver toxicity in patients on other acetaminophen containing medications, patients with liver dysfunction, or people who consume more than 3 alcoholic beverages a day.

Additionally, missing doses of Phenobarbital could result in loss of seizure control.

The recall includes the following products:

Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets, USP 10mg / 500mg, NDC 0603-3888-20, 60 count, Lot Numbers T150G10B, T120J10E and T023M10A

Phenobarbital Tablets, USP 32.4 mg, NDC 0603-5166-32, 1000 count, Lot Numbers T150G10B, T120J10E and T023M10A

These lots were distributed between Sept. 21, 2010 and Dec. 29, 2010 to wholesale and retail pharmacies nationwide (including Puerto Rico). Lot numbers can be found on the side of the bottle. Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets are large (approximately 16.5 mm in length), pink, capsule-shaped tablets, debossed (3600) on one side, and debossed (V) on the reverse side; Phenobarbital Tablets are small (approximately 6.4 mm in diameter), white, round, biconvex, scored tablets, debossed (5012) and (V) on one side and plain on the reverse side. All patients who have filled prescriptions of Phenobarbitol manufactured by Qualitest, are asked to double check the identity of their tablets.

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Published on Feb-7-11