Independent register of U.S. FDA drug recalls · updated Oct 10, 2026
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Class III · Low risk Terminated Initiated Jan 16, 2017 (10 years ago)

Dexamethasone Elixir

Class III — Low risk. Unlikely to cause harm, but violates FDA regulations.

Why it was recalled

Failed Impurities/ Degradation Specifications

Cause type: Impurity / degradation

An impurity or degradation product above its limit - other than nitrosamines. Unexpected substances in a batch can make it unsafe or less effective, even when the active ingredient is present. All impurity / degradation recalls.

What was recalled

DEXAMETHASONE ELIXIR, USP, 0.5 mg/5 mL, 8 fl.oz., Rx only, Manufactured for: QUALITEST PHARMACEUTICALS, HUNTSVILLE, AL, NDC 0603-1147-56

Affected NDC 0603-1147-56

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

Drug: Dexamethasone

Recalling firm
Vintage Pharmaceuticals LLC dba Qualitest Pharmaceuticals
NDC code
0603-1147-56
Origin
AL, United States
Initiated by
Voluntary: Firm initiated
FDA recall number
D-0438-2017 · FDA notice

Low risk, still worth a check. Class III means the product is unlikely to cause harm but breaks an FDA rule (often labeling). If your lot matches, your pharmacy will normally swap it; there is no need for alarm. This recall is now terminated, which means the firm has finished removing the affected product; anything on pharmacy shelves today should be unaffected.

Other Dexamethasone recalls

See all
Class II · Moderate risk

Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Injection

Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications - OOS impurities result observed during long term stability testing at product expiry (24 months) were above specs for these impurities: Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate EP impurity G (Impurity RU 49336) and dexamethasone formate.

Ongoing Impurity / degradation Somerset Therapeutics LLC D-0398-2026
Class II · Moderate risk

Dexonto 0.4%

Labeling: Incorrect or Missing Lot and/or Expiration date: Individual vials of Dexonto 0.4%, are labeled correctly with the BUD of 12/25/2024, however, the outer box on some of the Dexonto 0.4% are labeled incorrectly with a BUD of 12/25/2025.

Ongoing Labeling / mix-up Nubratori, Inc NDC 71300-6564-1 D-0392-2025

Other recalls by Vintage Pharmaceuticals LLC dba Qualitest Pharmaceuticals

All 2017 recalls
Class III · Low risk

Hydrocortisone Lotion

Superpotent Drug: above specification for the assay.

Terminated Wrong potency / content Vintage Pharmaceuticals LLC, DBA Qualitest Pharmaceuticals NDC 0603-7785-52 D-0859-2017
Class III · Low risk

Ranitidine Syrup

Failed Stability Specifications: Out of Specification results obtained for preservative butylparaben.

Terminated Stability / shelf life Vintage Pharmaceuticals LLC, DBA Qualitest Pharmaceuticals D-0162-2016