Independent register of U.S. FDA drug recalls · updated Oct 10, 2026
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Class II · Moderate risk Terminated Initiated Dec 21, 2020 (6 years ago)

Zerbaxa (ceftolozane and tazobactam)

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

Why it was recalled

Lack of assurance of sterility: The results of sterility tests of seven batches of product were out of specification. Five of these batches tested positive for Ralstonia pickettii and two batches produced turbid results that could not be further identified. While all product distributed to the market has met the registered specifications for release, including for sterility, it was manufactured on the same equipment as the affected batches.

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

Zerbaxa (ceftolozane and tazobactam) 1.5g per vial for injection, Single-Dose vial, Rx only, Manuf. for: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., NDC 67919-030-01

Affected NDC 67919-0030-01

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

Drug: Tazobactam

Product details

From the FDA NDC directory, for the product code this recall names. Compare with the label on your package.

ProductStrengthForm & routeLabelerType
Zerbaxa
ceftolozane and tazobactam
NDC 67919-0030
CEFTOLOZANE SULFATE 1 g/10mL; TAZOBACTAM SODIUM .5 g/10mL Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, for Solution
Intravenous
Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC Rx
Recalling firm
Merck Sharp & Dohme
NDC code
67919-030-01
Origin
NJ, United States
Initiated by
Voluntary: Firm initiated
FDA recall number
D-0176-2021 · 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 Tazobactam recalls

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Other recalls by Merck Sharp & Dohme

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Class II · Moderate risk

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Merck Emend

Presence of particulate matter: potential presence of metal particulates in the product.

Ongoing Particulate / foreign matter Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC NDC 0006-3066-03 D-0241-2026