Nearly 40 life-saving medications have been recalled by the Food and Drug Administration over fears of faulty manufacturing.
All of the medications were generics produced by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc at its factory in India and were initially recalled on March 13.
The FDA gave the recall a Class II risk level on April 8, which is defined as a product that could cause temporary or medically reversible health effect.
The drugs were used to treat epilepsy, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, heart disease and high blood pressure. Others also target kidney and bladder problems, atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeats), strokes as well as seizures.
The federal agency noted that the production was in violation of their Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) standards - rules that ensure medications are made safely and consistently.
As of now, experts do not expect the recalled tablets to cause any serious illnesses or death in patients.
According to Glenmark's website, all of its tablets and capsules have it signature 'G' imprinted - making them easily recognizable to patients.
Patients using any of the 39 recalled medications are advised to contact their pharmacist, physician or medical provider to discuss next steps.
Some of the popular drugs that have been listed include Fenofibrate capsules 67 mg (used to lower blood fat levels and help blood pressure), Solifenacin Succinate 10 mg (used to treat bladder problems including an overactive bladder) and Gabapentin tablets 600 mg (used to treat partial seizures, nerve pain from shingles and restless leg syndrome).
The majority of the drugs were prescription only, meaning that most people received them from a pharmacy.
However, certain lots of Glenmark Pharmaceuticals' acetaminophen and ibuprofen (NSAID) tablets were distributed to Amazon and Walmart.
Some of the recalled cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, used to treat seasonal allergy symptoms, were also distributed by Amazon.
Both shopping giants are yet to comment on whether they will be recalling the tablets.
In June 2024, 135 batches of blood pressure medication made by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals were also recalled over fears that the pill capsules won't properly dissolve when ingested by patients.
They initiated a voluntary recall of 114 batches of 750 mg Potassium Chloride in bottles containing 100 and 500 pills, with all of the specific batch numbers and expiration dates listed in a document circulated by the FDA.
Likewise, American Health Packaging voluntarily recalled 21 batches of the same medicine on behalf of BluePoint Laboratories.
According to a company announcement, the failed dissolution of the potassium chloride extended release capsules could cause high potassium levels in the blood, also known as hyperkalemia.
- Recalled Glenmark generic medications
- Fenofibrate capsules 67 mg
- Propafenone hydrochloride extended-release capsules 225 mg
- Propafenone hydrochloride extended-release capsules 325 mg
- Solifenacin succinate tablets 10 mg
- Voriconazole tablets 200 mg
- Voriconazole tablets 50 mg
- Gabapentin tablets 600 mg
- Lacosamide tablets 200 mg
- Frovatriptan succinate tablets 2.5 mg
- Rufinamide tablets 200 mg
- Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets 0.4 mg
- Pravastatin sodium tablets 80 mg
- Fluphenazine hydrochloride tablets 10 mg
- Fluphenazine hydrochloride tablets 2.5 mg
- Metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets 1000 mg
- Indomethacin extended-release capsules 75 mg
- Lacosamide tablets 100 mg
- Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets 0.3 mg
- Saxagliptin tablets 5 mg
- Solifenacin succinate tablets 5 mg
- Teriflunomide tablets 14 mg
- Ranolazine extended-release tablets 1000 mg
- Carvedilol tablets USP 12.5 mg
- Lacosamide tablets 50 mg
- Prochlorperazine maleate tablets 10 mg
- Rosuvastatin tablets 40 mg
- Colesvelam hydrochloride tablets 625 mg
- Pravastatin sodium tablets 20 mg
- Diltiazem hydrochloride extended-release capsules 12HR 120 mg
- Lacosamide tablets 150 mg
- Clindamycin hydrochloride capsules USP 300 mg
- Saxagliptin tablets USP 2.5 mg
- Naproxen sodium tablets USP 550 mg
- Acetaminophen and ibuprofen (NSAID) tablets 250 mg/125 mg
- Cetirizine hydrochloride tablets USP 10 mg
- Pravastatin sodium tablets USP 20 mg
- Pravastatin sodium tablets USP 80 mg
- Propafenone hydrochloride extended-release capsules USP 225 mg
- Propafenone hydrochloride extended-release capsules USP 325 mg