Two Drugs Recalled Due to Labeling Problems
Qualitest Pharmaceuticals recently recalled three lots of hydrocodone-and-acetaminophen tablets due to a mix-up in labels, according to MedPage Today.
The drugs were recalled after a bottle of hydrocodone was found with a phenobarbital label. If patients mistakenly took hydrocodone-and-acetaminophen instead of phenobarbital, they could wind up in a coma, suffer from CNS depression or respiratory depression, or even die. Also, patients who miss doses of phenobarbital could lose seizure control.
The drugs that are being recalled were distributed between September and December 2010. To tell if your drug is one that is affected by the recall, you could check the lot numbers, or look at the capsules themselves. The hydrocodone tablets are large, pink and capsule-shaped. They have “3600” on one side and a “V” on the other. In contrast, the phenobarbital tablets are small, white, and round. They have “5012” on one side and a “V” on the other.
Fortunately, no one has suffered any medical harm from the labeling mix-up. However, consumers experience negative side effects every day in the U.S. from improperly labeled drugs, drug manufacturing errors, or drugs that are unsafe for other reasons. Pharmaceutical companies are responsible for ensuring that medications are safe for consumer use and contain adequate labeling describing potential side effects. If not, the companies can be held liable for damages if a patient suffers as a result of taking the defective or improperly labeled medication.
Have you been injured by a dangerous drug? If so, you could have a cause of action against the drug manufacturer. Call the San Fernando Valley pharmaceutical litigation attorneys at the Mandell Law Firm today at 818-886-6600 to learn more.
