What Should I Do if I Find Out My Medicine Was Recalled?

Finding out a medication you take has been recalled can be unsettling. With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalling more than 1,000 drugs every year, it’s clear that drug recalls are more common than many people realize.

Knowing how to identify a recall and the steps to take afterward can help ensure your health and safety. If you have been injured or became sick due to a recalled medication, our Fox Cities drug injury attorneys can help you seek compensation from the liable party.

First Things First: How to Tell if Your Medication Has Been Recalled

If you take long-term medications for a chronic health condition, checking recall lists regularly is important. Not only are there thousands of recalls annually, but some drugs may not be recalled until years after they’ve been introduced to the market. Here are the best resources for recall information:

• Your Doctor: Ask your doctor about the safety of your medications during appointments. They typically receive updates and can guide you if the drug is recalled or offer alternative medication options.

• Your Pharmacy: Pharmacies monitor prescriptions and inform patients about recalls via email or phone. To ensure you receive these notifications, keep your contact information up-to-date and ask about how to stay informed about recalls when you collect your medication.

• FDA Website: The FDA provides a detailed list of drug recalls, including reasons for recalls, warnings, and instructions for consumers. Regularly check this site to stay informed about the safety of your medications.

Reasons for Recalling a Medication

Drug recalls happen for many reasons, from serious safety concerns to minor mistakes in packaging. Some common causes for recalling medications include:

• Contamination: The medication could be contaminated with foreign substances. For instance, Robitussin cough syrup was recalled on 1/24/2024 due to microbial contamination.

• Mislabeling: Incorrect labeling might display the wrong dosage or instructions. For instance, on 2/24/2024, Zenzedi was recalled due to a mislabeling error during manufacturing.

• Dangerous side effects: Unanticipated or severe side effects can lead to a recall. A recent example is the recall of eye drops sold under various brands at pharmacies like CVS and Rite Aid. These medications pose a risk of potential eye infections or other harm to users.

• Packaging error: Sometimes, the recall is due to something as minor as a mistake in the packaging details, such as incorrect dosage instructions. For instance, in April 2023, Fentanyl tablets were recalled because safety updates were omitted in the medication guide.

What Should You Do if You Find Your Medication on a Recall List?

If you discover your medication has been recalled, there are a few actions you need to take. Here’s what to do immediately upon discovering the recall or experiencing harm due to a recalled medication:

• Consult Your Doctor: If your medication is on a recall list, contact your doctor before you stop taking it. Depending on the recall reason, stopping suddenly could be more harmful than continuing to take it. Your doctor can assess whether it’s safe to discontinue the medication and discuss other treatment options.

• Keep the Medication and its Packaging: Hold onto the medication and its packaging. You may need the label information, like lot number and expiration date, for discussions with your doctor, reporting to pharmacies or regulatory bodies, or legal claims.

• Document Harm Caused by the Medication: Keep detailed records of any side effects or harm caused by the medication. Include dates of onset, medical visits, treatments received, and impact on your daily life. This can help your healthcare provider assess the situation and support a dangerous drug claim for compensation.

• Consult a Lawyer if You’ve Been Harmed: If you think a recalled medication has caused you harm, consider consulting with an experienced Green Bay defective drug attorney. Our team at Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers can review the details of your situation to see if the medication led to any harm and pursue a personal injury claim against the responsible manufacturer or retailer.

Get Legal Help After a Dangerous Medication Injury

If you or someone close to you has been impacted by a recalled drug, a knowledgeable attorney can help protect your rights against those at fault. At Brian Hodgkiss Injury Lawyers, we can support you every step of the way, from explaining your legal options to seeking the compensation you’re entitled to.

Since opening our doors in 2018, we’ve fought for the rights of victims injured by another’s negligence. Whether it was the manufacturer, retailer, or even your medical provider, we can help you get a fair settlement for injuries caused by a dangerous drug. Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step toward protecting your rights and well-being.