If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or Text 838255. You can also call 911.
addictionprescription medicationdrug misuseanxietystimulantsDrug Misusesalternatives to drugsHealthdepressantsRiskpsychological healthResourcesself-medicatingSupportpain

Understanding What a Drug Recall Means

A drug recall occurs when a drug company warns patients about a potential health risk of a drug or chooses to remove a drug from the market. If a drug is being recalled, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) carefully oversees the drug company’s recall plan. All recalls are posted weekly on the FDA’s enforcement report, and in cases of a serious health risk, the FDA alerts the public. Below are the most common reasons for a drug recall and some tips to keep in mind when a drug is being recalled.

Common Recall Reasons

  • Contamination: The drug was mixed with an extra substance (which can be harmful or non-harmful) not included in the ingredients list when it was made or distributed.
  • Mislabeling: The drug has an incorrect or confusing label.
  • Defective: The drug does not do what it was supposed to do.
  • Adverse Reaction: Patients experience an adverse reaction to the drug other than what was already known as a common side effect.
  • Incorrect Potency: Patients receive lower or higher amounts of a drug than needed due to incorrect drug potency. A lower amount can make the drug less effective, and a higher amount can increase the risk of side effects.

Tips for When a Drug is Recalled

  • Do Not Panic: Most drug recalls are for minor issues.
  • Learn More: To find out more about drug recalls, visit the FDA website. You can sign up to receive alerts on product recalls and market withdrawals.
  • Do a Safety Check: If you notice anything unusual with the drug bottle or wrapper—such as tampering, an odd smell, or contamination—notify your pharmacist before taking it, regardless of whether the drug has been recalled.
  • Discard Recalled Drugs: Safely discard or return to the pharmacy all recalled drugs, even if you may not be currently taking the drug but it is in your medicine cabinet.
  • Call Your Doctor: If you have taken a drug that has been recalled, call your doctor immediately.

It is important for you to contact your health professional and pharmacist right away to understand if they would like you to continue the medication, stop taking it, or switch to another treatment. Learn more about safe drug use here.

RELATED CONTENT
Prescription Drug Facts
Protected: Lifestyle Factors to Limit the Negative Side Effects of Prescription Drugs Used to Treat Anxiety and Depression

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

Prescription Drug Facts
Prescription Drug Misuse and Childhood Medical Costs

Prescription drug misuse or abuse is the use of a medicine in a way not intended by the doctor that prescribed the medication. Prescription drug misuse is common in children aged 12 and above. These children may get addicted to painkillers, sedatives, or stimulants. These can have significant and far-reaching effects on childhood medical costs, […]

Prescription Drug Facts
How to Read a Prescription Bottle

After you receive a new prescription, the first thing you should do is check the label to make sure you are taking the medicine as intended. Prescription labels contain a lot of useful information. Depending on what pharmacy you use, the label may look slightly different, but most prescription labels list the same information. Use […]

If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Military Crisis Line at 988 and press 1, or Text 838255. You can also call 911.