Cefazolin FDA Alerts

Sandoz Inc. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of One Lot of Cefazolin for Injection Due to Product Mispackaging

Jul 14, 2025 | Audience: Consumer, Health Professional, Pharmacy

UPDATE July 14, 2025 – Sandoz, Inc. (“Sandoz”) is initiating a voluntary nationwide recall expansion of one additional lot of Cefazolin for Injection, USP, 1 gram per vial. The lot is being recalled due to a customer complaint indicating that four (4) vials incorrectly labelled as Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP, 20 million Units were included in cartons (25 vials per carton) of Cefazolin for Injection, USP 1 gram per vial product. Sandoz has confirmed that the vials incorrectly labelled as Penicillin G Potassium for Injection contain Cefazolin for Injection, USP, 1 gram per vial.

Risk Statement: There is a reasonable probability that the inadvertent administration of cefazolin injection following dosing recommendation of penicillin G potassium injection due to mislabeling may pose serious and potentially life-threatening adverse health consequences, including lack of efficacy leading to less than optimal treatment of severe infections, antibiotic resistance, adverse reactions, severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis), drug interactions, and delayed recovery.

To date, Sandoz has not received any reports of adverse events or injuries related to the product mislabeling. Sandoz has received a complaint of administration of the incorrectly labelled product to a patient.

Lots impacted by the voluntary recall and its expansion:

Cefazolin for Injection USP is used for the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria in many different parts of the body including the treatment of pneumonia. Cefazolin for Injection USP can also be used to prevent infections, before and after surgery. Antibacterial drugs like Cefazolin for Injection USP treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections. Cefazolin for Injection USP is indicated for adult, elderly, pediatric patients, including newborn term infants.

Penicillin G Potassium for Injection is indicated in the treatment of certain serious infections including septicemia, skin and wound infections. It is also approved for the treatment of diphtheria, community-acquired pneumonia, peritonitis, meningitis/brain abscesses, osteomyelitis, infections of the genital tract, anthrax, tetanus, gas gangrene, listeriosis, pasteurellosis, rat bite fever, fusospirochetes, actinomycosis, complications in gonorrhea and syphilis and Lyme. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP and other antibacterial drugs, Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. Penicillin G Potassium for Injection is indicated for use in adults, adolescents, children, pediatric, newborn infants and preterm infants.

Although both Cefazolin and Penicillin G Potassium belong to the beta-lactam group of antibiotics, they are indicated for different types of infections, and the spectrum of susceptible organisms also differs. Additionally, while the patient populations overlap, each medicine has specific on-label distinct groups, and the dosing regimens may differ, as well.

Sandoz is notifying its customers by letter and is arranging for return of the recalled product. The product being recalled was shipped to select wholesalers for further distribution nationwide. Healthcare providers and customers who have this product should immediately stop use of this lot only and contact Sedgwick, the Sandoz Reverse Distributor, directly by phone at (844) 265-7409 or by email at Sandoz5615@sedgwick.com.

For questions about the recall process, please call Sedgwick at (844) 265-7409 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday - Friday (EST).

Please report any adverse reactions by calling Sandoz at (800) 525-8747. Customer service agents are available from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (EST), Monday-Friday, except on national holidays.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, or by fax.

• Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm
• Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

DISCLAIMER
This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside of the control of Sandoz. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sandoz undertakes no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

ABOUT SANDOZ
Sandoz (SIX: SDZ; OTCQX: SDZNY) is the global leader in generic and biosimilar medicines, with a growth strategy driven by its Purpose: pioneering access for patients. More than 20,000 people of 100 nationalities work together to ensure 900 million patient treatments are provided by Sandoz, generating substantial global healthcare savings and an even larger social impact. Its leading portfolio of approximately 1,300 products addresses diseases from the common cold to cancer. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Sandoz traces its heritage back to 1886. Its history of breakthroughs includes Calcium Sandoz in 1929, the world’s first oral penicillin in 1951, and the world’s first biosimilar in 2006. In 2024, Sandoz recorded net sales of USD 10.4 billion.

Source: FDA

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ORIGINAL ALERT June 27, 2025 Sandoz, Inc. (“Sandoz”) is initiating a voluntary recall of one (1) lot of Cefazolin for Injection, USP, 1 gram per vial. This single lot is being recalled due to a customer complaint indicating that four (4) Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP, 20 million Units labelled vials were incorrectly included in a carton (25 vials per carton) of Cefazolin for Injection, USP 1 gram per vial product.

Risk Statement: There is a reasonable probability that the inadvertent administration of penicillin G potassium injection, instead of intended cefazolin injection, may pose serious and potentially life-threatening adverse health consequences, including lack of efficacy leading to less than optimal treatment of severe infections, antibiotic resistance, adverse reactions, severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis), drug interactions, cardiac arrhythmias resulting from high potassium especially in patients with kidney impairment, and delayed recovery.

To date, Sandoz has not received any reports of adverse events or injuries related to this recall. Sandoz has received a complaint of inadvertent administration of the incorrect product to a patient.

Cefazolin for Injection USP is used for the treatment of infections caused by certain bacteria in many different parts of the body including the treatment of pneumonia. Cefazolin for Injection USP can also be used to prevent infections, before and after surgery. Antibacterial drugs like Cefazolin for Injection USP treat only bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections. Cefazolin for Injection USP is indicated for adult, elderly, pediatric patients, including newborn term infants. 

Penicillin G Potassium for Injection is indicated in the treatment of certain serious infections including septicemia, skin and wound infections. It is also approved for the treatment of diphtheria, community-acquired pneumonia, peritonitis, meningitis/brain abscesses, osteomyelitis, infections of the genital tract, anthrax, tetanus, gas gangrene, listeriosis, pasteurellosis, rat bite fever, fusospirochetes, actinomycosis, complications in gonorrhea and syphilis and Lyme. To reduce the development of drug-resistant bacteria and maintain effectiveness of Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP and other antibacterial drugs, Penicillin G Potassium for Injection, USP should be used only to treat or prevent infections that are proven or strongly suspected to be caused by susceptible bacteria. Penicillin G Potassium for Injection is indicated for use in adults, adolescents, children, pediatric, newborn infants and preterm infants.

Although both Cefazolin and Penicillin G Potassium belong to the beta-lactam group of antibiotics, they are indicated for different types of infections, and the spectrum of susceptible organisms also differs. Additionally, while the patient populations overlap, each medicine has specific on-label distinct groups, and the dosing regimens may differ, as well.

Sandoz is notifying its customers by letter and is arranging for return of the recalled product. The product being recalled was shipped to select wholesalers for further distribution nationwide. Healthcare providers and customers who have this product should immediately stop use of this lot only and contact Sedgwick, the Sandoz Reverse Distributor, directly by phone at (844) 491-7872 or by email at Sandoz6004@sedgwick.com.

For questions about the recall process, please call Sedgwick at (844) 491-7872 between the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday - Friday (EST).

Please report any adverse reactions by calling Sandoz at (800) 525-8747. Customer service agents are available from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (EST), Monday-Friday, except on national holidays.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may also be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

• Complete and submit the report Online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm¹
• Regular Mail or Fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm² or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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IntegraDose Compounding Services, LLC Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Cefazolin Injection Products Due to a Lack of Sterility Assurance

Sep 21, 2021 | Audience: Health Professional, Pharmacy

September 21, 2021 -- Minneapolis, Minnesota, IntegraDose Compounding Services is voluntarily recalling nine lots, listed in the table below, of cefazolin 2 gram in 20 mL syringe for injection and two lots of cefazolin 3 gram in 100 mL 0.9% sodium chloride bag for injection due to a lack of sterility assurance resulting from compounding in a newly installed biologic safety cabinet without completing dynamic smoke study testing.

Intravenous administration of a non-sterile drug could result in serious infections ranging from fever, chills, and malaise, to severe adverse events such as septicemia, bacterial meningitides and wound infection which may be life-threatening. The possibility of a breach in sterility assurance in distributed product, while not confirmed, cannot be eliminated. No batches of product have been identified as containing microorganisms. To date, IntegraDose Compounding Services has not received reports of any adverse events associated with this issue for these lots.

Cefazolin is an antibiotic and the products are packaged in zip-locking bags containing ten units. The lots were distributed nationwide in the USA to hospitals from 8/12/21 to 9/15/21. IntegraDose Compounding Services has initiated an investigation to determine the root cause and corrective and preventative actions.

IntegraDose Compounding Services has notified its direct customers via a recall letter and is arranging for impacted product to be returned. Anyone with an existing inventory of the recalled lots should stop use and distribution and quarantine immediately.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact IntegraDose Compounding Services by phone at (612-672-5216) or e-mail (celse1@fairview.org) on Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM CDT.

Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.

Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

• Complete and submit the report Online
• Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Source: FDA

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Cefazolin for Injection

Mar 1, 2006 | Audience: Healthcare professionals and hosptal risk managers[Posted 03/01/2006] Hanford Pharmaceuticals and FDA notified healthcare professionals about the recall of four lots (379,975 vials) of Cefazolin for Injection, USP, 1 g/10 mL vials, an antibiotic used in a hospital environment to treat skin and skin structure, respiratory and other infections.The product was distributed by Sandoz, Inc. of Broomfield, CO and Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Corona, CA. Certain lots of the active ingredient used to manufacture the product have been shown to contain microbial contamination (Bacillus pumilus, Staphylococcus hominis, Propionibacterium acnes, or Micrococcus luteus) which may pose a serious or life-threatening risk for some patients.  Hospitals, clinics, and users should stop using the affected lots immediately.

[February 2006 – Press Release –G.C. Hanford Manufacturing Co.]

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