Zerbaxa (ceftolozane and tazobactam) 1.5g per vial for injection, Single-Dose vial
Medicine recall D-0176-2021. Published in FDA’s Enforcement Report on Jan 13, 2021.
No Watch here, and no alerts: openFDA asks that its enforcement data “should not be used as a method to collect data to issue alerts to the public, nor should it be used to track the lifecycle of a recall” (openFDA). For FDA’s own recall emails, subscribe at FDA. FDA’s own record is on accessdata.fda.gov.
The short answer
Published in FDA’s Enforcement Report on Jan 13, 2021. Copied from openFDA on Oct 20, 2026.
- Class II FDA’s class
- Terminated its status, in FDA’s file
- Nationwide FDA’s word for where it went
- 106,503 vials how much, in FDA’s words
Every line below is in FDA’s own words, with its source beside it. FDA’s terms are explained in FDA’s own words.
How serious is it, by FDA’s class?
Class II, the middle of FDA’s three classes.
“Products that might cause a temporary health problem, or pose only a slight threat of a serious nature. Example: a drug that is under-strength but that is not used to treat life-threatening situations.”
openFDA, in plain words, its enforcement report fields.
“Class II is a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
FDA’s rule, 21 CFR 7.3(m)(2), eCFR.
What these words mean is quoted from openFDA’s field reference and 21 CFR 7.3.
What’s wrong with it?
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.
FDA, Drug recall enforcement reports. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated weekly.
Which ones are 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
106,503 vials, in FDA’s words.
FDA, Drug recall enforcement reports. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated weekly.
Codes to check against yours
All lots within expiry: SP1488 08-Jun-21; SP1490 11-Jun-21; SP1492 13-Jun-21; SP1493 15-Jun-21; SP1494 21-Jun-21; SP1495 23-Jun-21; SP1496 25-Jun-21; SP1497 27-Jun-21; SP1498 29-Jun-21; SP1509 20-Sep-21; SP1510 26-Sep-21; SP1515 16-Oct-21;…
Every code shown here, 766 characters
All lots within expiry: SP1488 08-Jun-21; SP1490 11-Jun-21; SP1492 13-Jun-21; SP1493 15-Jun-21; SP1494 21-Jun-21; SP1495 23-Jun-21; SP1496 25-Jun-21; SP1497 27-Jun-21; SP1498 29-Jun-21; SP1509 20-Sep-21; SP1510 26-Sep-21; SP1515 16-Oct-21; SP1517 23-Oct-21; SP1518 25-Oct-21; SP1519 30-Oct-21; SP1520 01-Nov-21; SP1521 06-Nov-21; SP1522 08-Nov-21; SP1523;13-Nov-21; SP1524; 15-Nov-21; SP1525 20-Nov-21; SP1526 27-Nov-21; SP1537 11-Jan-22; SP1564 17-Oct-22; SP1567 16-Oct-22; SP1572 24-Oct-22; SP1573; 28-Oct-22; SP1574 29-Oct-22; SP1584; 14-Nov-22; SP1586; 15-Nov-22; SP1588; 19-Nov-22; SP1593 03-Dec-22; SP1602 18-Dec-22; SP1603; 19-Dec-22; SP1606 08-Jan-23; SP1609 15-Jan-23; SP1610 20-Jan-23; SP1611 22-Jan-23; SP1626 13-Apr-23; SP1629 17-Apr-23; SP1633 21-Apr-23
Copied exactly as FDA lists them: lot and serial numbers, dates and other codes on the product or its label.
Barcodes and drug codes
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NDC
67919-030-01
As FDA’s description and codes give them; the UPCs written as digits only.
Where did it go?
FDA’s words for the “general area of initial distribution”: where the firm first shipped it.
U.S.A. Nationwide
These words name no state.
What FDA means by nationwide
“The term “nationwide” is defined to mean the fifty states or a significant portion. Note that subsequent distribution by the consignees to other parties may not be included.”
openFDA, its enforcement report fields.
What these words mean is quoted from openFDA’s field reference and 21 CFR 7.3.
Is it still going on?
Terminated, in FDA’s file.
“FDA has determined that all reasonable efforts have been made to remove or correct the violative product in accordance with the recall strategy, and proper disposition has been made according to the degree of hazard.”
openFDA, on “Terminated”, its enforcement report fields.
What these words mean is quoted from openFDA’s field reference and 21 CFR 7.3.
- The firm began the recall on Dec 21, 2020.
- FDA classified it on Jan 7, 2021.
- FDA’s Enforcement Report published it on Jan 13, 2021.
- FDA terminated it on Dec 4, 2023.
FDA, Drug recall enforcement reports. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated weekly.
Who is recalling it?
- Merck Sharp & Dohme, of Rahway, NJ.
- Who began it, in FDA’s words: Voluntary: Firm initiated.
- How the firm first told its customers: Letter.
FDA, Drug recall enforcement reports. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated weekly.
What this record can’t tell you
- Whether your own one is affected: compare the codes, dates and numbers above with yours. When unsure, ask the firm or the store.
- Where it went after the firm’s first shipments. FDA’s words cover the firm’s initial distribution, and, in FDA’s words, “subsequent distribution by the consignees to other parties may not be included.”
- How many have been returned, corrected or destroyed: FDA’s report doesn’t say.
- Whether anyone was hurt or fell ill: the report doesn’t say.
- How current it is: openFDA publishes FDA’s Enforcement Report weekly, after FDA does, and a firm can announce a recall weeks before it appears there. openFDA’s own caution: “This data should not be used as a method to collect data to issue alerts to the public, nor should it be used to track the lifecycle of a recall.”
- A product with no recall here isn’t safe by that: FDA’s report lists the recalls FDA classified, and when.
Hearth Record wrote these lines; the quotations are FDA’s.
Sources
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U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Drug recall enforcement reports.
Released Oct 14, 2026 and checked Oct 20, 2026. Updated weekly. Public domain (CC0 1.0, openFDA). FDA asks that nothing suggest it endorses this site.
Recalls of food, medicines, medical devices, pet food and animal drugs are from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA does not endorse Hearth Record. openFDA: “Do not rely on openFDA to make decisions regarding medical care.” Copied on Oct 20, 2026.