What is the risk with recalled atorvastatin pills?

Recalled atorvastatin pills do not dissolve properly, reducing the amount of medication absorbed by the body and increasing the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes.

Which statin drugs are affected by the recent recall?

Thousands of bottles of generic atorvastatin, manufactured by Ascend Laboratories, are included in the recall. Brand-name Lipitor contains the same active ingredient but is not directly part of this specific recall.

What should patients do if they have recalled atorvastatin?

Do not stop taking the medication. Check your prescription label for the manufacturer 'Ascend' and NDC code '67877'. Contact your pharmacist for a replacement or a new prescription.

Home / Health / Statins Recalled: Your Heart Meds May Not Work

Statins Recalled: Your Heart Meds May Not Work

14 Dec

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Summary

Defective statin pills fail to dissolve, reducing effectiveness.
Recall impacts hundreds of thousands of U.S. patients.
Manufacturing quality issues persist globally, especially in India.

Statins Recalled: Your Heart Meds May Not Work

A significant recall of atorvastatin, the generic version of the widely prescribed cholesterol drug Lipitor, is affecting hundreds of thousands of patients across the U.S. The issue stems from pills manufactured by Alkem Laboratories in India, which failed quality tests for not dissolving properly. This defect means the active ingredient is not absorbed effectively, potentially increasing cardiovascular risks for patients who stop taking the medication.

This incident is the latest in a series of concerning manufacturing lapses, with similar problems identified in other drugs recalled in recent years. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration faces challenges in overseeing overseas manufacturing, primarily in India and China, due to logistical and resource limitations. Recent recalls, including for eye drops and other medications, have been linked to unsanitary conditions and falsified quality results at foreign facilities.