Independent register of U.S. FDA drug recalls · updated Oct 10, 2026
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Class III · Low risk Terminated Initiated Jul 30, 2014 (12 years ago)

Cataflam (diclofenac potassium)

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

Why it was recalled

Failed Tablet/Capsule Specifications: Ink identification had rubbed off tablets in transit making them illegible to pharmacists and consumers.

Cause type: Failed specification

A physical or chemical test other than potency, dissolution, impurity or stability failed - pH, viscosity, appearance, tablet integrity, fill volume. A product outside its own specification may not perform as designed, even if the active ingredient is present. All failed specification recalls.

What was recalled

Cataflam (diclofenac potassium) tablets, 50 mg, 100-count bottles, Rx only, Manufactured by: Patheon Inc., Whitby Operations, Ontario, Canada L1N 5Z5; Distributed by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp., East Hanover, New Jersey 07936; NDC 0078-0436-05, UPC 3 0078-0436-05 2.

Affected NDC 0078-0436-05

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

Drug: Diclofenac Category: Pain Relief & OTC Medication

Recalling firm
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
NDC code
0078-0436-05
Origin
NY, United States
Initiated by
Voluntary: Firm initiated
FDA recall number
D-1516-2014 · 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 Diclofenac recalls

See all
Class II · Moderate risk

Diclofenac Sodium

Failed Viscosity Specifications: Out of Specification (OOS) [slightly lower than the limit] result in viscosity for Diclofenac Sodium Gel, 3%.

Ongoing Failed specification Sun Pharmaceutical Industries INC NDC 51672-1363-7 D-0342-2026
Class II · Moderate risk

Diclofenac Sodium Topical Solution 1.5% w/w

CGMP Deviations: all products within expiry are being recalled because the manufacturing firm, Teligent Pharma, Inc. is discontinuing its stability study program.

Terminated Stability / shelf life Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NDC 68788-7918-01 D-0773-2022

Other recalls by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

All 2014 recalls
Class II · Moderate risk

Diovan (valsartan)

Failed Dissolution Specifications

Ongoing Dissolution failure Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation NDC 0078-0359-34 D-0746-2026
Class I · High risk

SANDIMMUNE Oral Solution

Crystallization: bottles of Sandimmune Oral Solution were determined to contain crystals

Ongoing Failed specification Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation NDC 0078-0110-22 D-0144-2024
Class I · High risk

SANDIMMUNE Oral Solution

Crystallization: bottles of Sandimmune Oral Solution were determined to contain crystals.

Ongoing Failed specification Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. NDC 0078-0110-22 D-1174-2023
Class II · Moderate risk

Neoral soft gelatin capsules

CGMP deviations: Out of specification results obtained during routine stability testing for ethanol content.

Terminated Stability / shelf life Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation NDC 0078-0246-15 D-1543-2022