Independent register of U.S. FDA drug recalls · updated Oct 10, 2026
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Class II · Moderate risk Terminated Initiated Aug 8, 2013 (13 years ago)

Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan Tablets)

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

Why it was recalled

Chemical Contamination: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation has recalled physician sample bottles of Diovan, Exforge, Exforge HCT,Lescol XL, Stalevo, Tekturna and Tekturna HCT Tablets due to contamination with Darocur 1173 a photocuring agent used in inks on shrink-wrap sleeves.

Cause type: Chemical / undeclared

A chemical that should not be there - benzene, methanol, lead - or an undeclared prescription drug hidden in a supplement. The label gives no warning: you may be taking a toxic solvent, a heavy metal, or a drug such as sildenafil that interacts with your other medicines. All chemical / undeclared recalls.

What was recalled

Exforge (amlodipine and valsartan Tablets) 5/160 mg, Rx only 7 tablets per bottle, Physician Sample - Not For Sale. Manufactured by: Novartis Pharma Stein AG Stein, Switzerland. Distributed by: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. East Hanover, New Jersey 07936 - NDC # 0078-9488-07

Affected NDC 0078-9488-07

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

Drug: Valsartan Category: Blood Pressure Medication

Recalling firm
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.
NDC code
0078-9488-07
Origin
NY, United States
Initiated by
Voluntary: Firm initiated
FDA recall number
D-328-2014 · 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 Valsartan recalls

See all
Class II · Moderate risk

Diovan (valsartan)

Failed Dissolution Specifications

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

Valsartan Tablets 320 mg USP

CGMP Deviations; Detection of a trace amount of unexpected impurity N- nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) found in finished products

Ongoing Nitrosamine impurity Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NDC 52343-125-90 D-1055-2019
Class II · Moderate risk

Valsartan Tablets 160 mg USP

CGMP Deviations; Detection of a trace amount of unexpected impurity N- nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) found in finished products

Ongoing Nitrosamine impurity Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NDC 52343-124-90 D-1054-2019
Class II · Moderate risk

Valsartan Tablets 80 mg USP

CGMP Deviations; Detection of a trace amount of unexpected impurity N- nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) found in finished products

Ongoing Nitrosamine impurity Rising Pharmaceuticals, Inc. NDC 52343-123-90 D-1053-2019

Other recalls by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.

All 2013 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