Most prescription and over-the-counter medications are safe to take. But some may pose threats that their manufacturers don’t list as side effects. Those threats are often due to intentionally withholding information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or improper testing procedures and protocols.
When the FDA finds out that a medication is potentially dangerous, it will issue a recall for the drug. It’s then up to the manufacturer to pull the drug from pharmacy shelves. If you take medications, it’s important to stay up to date on drug recalls. One way to do that is to visit the FDA’s database of recalled drugs.
If you find out that a medication you’re taking was recalled, it’s important that you avoid making these two common mistakes:
- Quitting a medication without talking to your doctor—A recalled drug doesn’t always pose immediate harm to people who take it. Some recalls are due to minor issues, such as mislabeling. Stopping a medication without talking to your doctor may result in serious health problems and complications.
- Ignoring the recall—While you should never abruptly stop taking a drug without talking to your doctor, you also shouldn’t ignore the issue. Drug recalls are issued for a reason, and affected medications can often pose serious threats to the people who take them. Consulting with your doctor can help you find a suitable alternative to treat your illness or injury.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel, our drug injury lawyers know that medications have the power to heal and to harm. And if you or someone you love was hurt by a drug, we want to speak with you. Contact us today for a free consultation.