What to Do If Your Prescription Drug Has Been Recalled

Your first thought may be to panic when you find out that a drug you have been taking is recalled, especially if it is a drug that you have been taking for a long period of time. But hold that thought; first you need to gather more information about the recall. And no matter what, don't quit taking any prescription drug cold turkey until you have thoroughly discussed the situation with your doctor. You doctor will be able to help you determine the best way to wean yourself off of the drug without a serious health reaction.

The Food and Drug Administration, FDA, is responsible for ensuring the safety of the prescription drug supply in the United States. In most cases, the system for monitoring the prescription drug manufacturing and distribution works very well. When new medical studies show that a drug is not working as intended, the pharmaceutical manufacturer will usually take the medicine off the market voluntarily. Unfortunately, there are cases where the FDA must intervene. The FDA has three methods to remove the product from the market. They can request a formal recall, request an injunction to stop the production of the drug, or they can confiscate all remaining supplies of the product.

There are three classes of prescription drug recalls. A Class I recall is the most serious offense, it means that the drug has been found to be unsafe or defective and can cause serious illness or death. A Class II recall means that the drug in question may cause a temporary health issue and may have a slight risk of causing more serious complications. Class III recalls occurs if there is an issue with the labeling or manufacturing process. A Class III recall generally does not mean that the product is unsafe if used as your doctor directs.

When a drug you are taking is recalled, be sure to take note of the whether it is a Class I, II, or III offense. If it is a Class III recall, you can rest a little easier, knowing your health is not in serious jeopardy. Whatever the type of recall, you will need to take some actions. Your first step is to take a deep breath and make that call to your doctor. Your doctor will most likely already have been notified of the recall and can advise you on the best course of treatment change. Oh, and don't destroy your medicine by flushing it down the toilet. That will just send your faulty prescription drug out into the water supply.

If you have been injured by a recalled drug, contact a Chicago injury lawyer at USA Hurt. Our team of attorneys work hard to stay on top of recalls issued by the FDA to ensure you receive accurate information and so you can better relay the type of injury sustained and what actions you need to take. You can reach a Chicago accident attorney by calling 1-866-579-5328

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