Drug Recall: Atorvastatin Pills Recalled By FDA

The Food & Drug Administration has announced that several lots of a generic cholesterol-lowering medication have been recalled after failing standard testing.

What's been recalled THIS time?

The drug in question is atorvastatin, the generic version of Lipitor.  Specifically, what's been recalled are lots that were shipped from a specific distributor in New Jersey in multiple dosages, from 10 mg to 80 mg.  Check here for a full list of the recalled lots or the AARP article linked above for an easier to read partial list.

The recall was initiated after tests of randomly chosen samples showed the drug wasn't dissolving properly.

If the drug doesn't dissolve properly, it can't be absorbed by the patient's body properly, meaning the medication is less effective.

What else is known?

While the drug was distributed by a company in New Jersey, it was manufactured by a different company in India.

Also, the recall covers roughly 142,000 bottles of pills nationwide.

I take atorvastatin.  What should I do?

First, don't panic.  Take your pill bottles to your doctor or pharmacist to see if they're from one of the recalled lots.

Second, even if you do have pills from one of the recalled lots, keep taking them until your doctor or pharmacist gets you a new prescription.  Contrary to what you would normally expect from a drug recall, in this case, it's advised that you don't stop taking the medicine, at least in the short term.  A less effective dosage is still better than none at all, especially since the drug is meant to lower the risks of heart attacks and strokes.