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Teva Animal Health has recalled certain lots of ketamine hydrochloride injection, 100 mg/mL in 10 mL vials, because of adverse events associated with the product—including lack of effect, prolonged effect, and death.

Ketamine hydrochloride is a rapid-acting, non-narcotic, nonbarbiturate agent for anesthesia in cats and for restraint in nonhuman primates. Teva initially issued a recall at the distributor level. On Dec. 21, 2009, the company expanded the recall to the veterinary level.

Teva also makes ketamine products for other companies. Veterinarians should check the lot number on ketamine hydrochloride products, regardless of the brand name. The product is part of the recall if the lot number has seven numeric digits or if the lot number starts with "5401," regardless of the rest of the lot number. The product is not part of the recall if the lot number has six numeric digits and does not start with "5401."

The current list of potentially affected products includes the following:

• AmTech Group (ketamine hydrochloride injection)
• Butler (KetaThesia)
• LLOYD Laboratories (VetaKet)
• Phoenix (Ketaject)
• RXV (Keta-Sthetic)
• VEDCO (KetaVed)
• Fort Dodge/Pfizer (Ketaset)

Not all products sold under these brand names are affected. Thus, veterinarians should check the lot numbers for all vials of ketamine they have in their possession.

Veterinarians in possession of a recalled product should cease use immediately and return the product to their distributor. Veterinarians with questions can contact Teva at (800) 759-3664 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

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