Independent register of U.S. FDA drug recalls · updated Oct 10, 2026
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Class II · Moderate risk Terminated Initiated Sep 16, 2016 (10 years ago)

Marcaine 0.5% (Bupivacaine Hydrochloride)

Class II — Moderate risk. May cause temporary or reversible harm; serious harm unlikely.

Why it was recalled

Lack of Assurance of Sterility and Subpotent Drug: defect in glass vial prevented stopper from forming a seal allowing water to ingress and dilute the product causing it to be less than the labeled potency.

Cause type: Sterility / contamination

A product that must be sterile could not be assured sterile, or was contaminated. A top reason for injectables, eye drops and IV products - loss of sterility assurance can lead to serious infections. All sterility / contamination recalls.

What was recalled

Marcaine 0.5% (bupivacaine HCl) injection, USP, 250 mg/50 mL (5 mg/mL), 50 mL Multiple-Dose Vial, Rx only, Hospira, Inc., Lake Forest, IL 60045, NDC 0409-1610-50.

Affected NDC 0409-1610-50

Compare with the code on your package — it is the most precise check available.

Drug: Bupivacaine

Recalling firm
Hospira Inc., A Pfizer Company
NDC code
0409-1610-50
Origin
IL, United States
Initiated by
Voluntary: Firm initiated
FDA recall number
D-0097-2017 · FDA notice

Check, then ask. Class II means harm is possible but usually temporary or reversible. Find the lot number on your package; if it matches, ask your pharmacist about a replacement. Do not simply stop a prescribed medication on your own - the gap can be riskier than the recall. This recall is now terminated, which means the firm has finished removing the affected product; anything on pharmacy shelves today should be unaffected.

Other Bupivacaine recalls

See all

Other recalls by Hospira Inc., A Pfizer Company

All 2016 recalls
Class II · Moderate risk

Labetalol Hydrochloride Injection

Defective Container: Cracked glass at the rim surface of glass vials, covered by the stopper and crimp seal.

Terminated Packaging defect Hospira Inc. A Pfizer Company NDC 0409-2267-20 D-0576-2018
Class III · Low risk

Argatroban Injection

Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications; out of specification result for denitroquinoline-related impurity during three month time point

Terminated Impurity / degradation Hospira Inc., A Pfizer Company NDC 0409-1140-01 D-0980-2017