WASHINGTON – Check your medicine cabinet: Millions of bottles of the widely used pain reliever acetaminophen – some sold as long as three years ago – are being recalled because they may contain metal fragments.
The recall affects 11 million bottles containing varying quantities of 500-milligram acetaminophen caplets made by the Perrigo Co. The pills were sold under store brands by Wal-Mart, CVS, Safeway and more than 120 other major retailers, the Food and Drug Administration said. At least one chain started pulling the pills from store shelves Thursday.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or illness. The contaminated pills included metal fragments ranging in size from “microdots” to portions of wire one-third of an inch long, the FDA said. The FDA could not describe further the type of metal.
Perrigo discovered the metal bits during quality-control checks done after the company discovered its equipment was wearing down prematurely, the FDA said.
Agency officials declined to say whether the metal found in the pills caused the damage or resulted from it.
Consumers who take any of the contaminated pills could suffer minor stomach discomfort or possible cuts to the mouth and throat, the FDA said, adding that the risk of serious injury was remote. Anyone who suspects they have been injured should contact a doctor.
Acetaminophen is best known as the drug in products sold under the Tylenol brand, but is widely available in typically less expensive generic versions. The drug, along with aspirin and ibuprofen, is one of the most widely used pain relievers available without a doctor’s note.
Consumers with questions can call Perrigo toll free at (877) 546-0454.
The FDA would not say in which states the pills had been sold, but instead recommended that customers determine whether products they bought are being recalled by checking the store list on the FDA Web site, www.fda.gov/oc/po/firmrecalls/ perrigo/perrigocustlist.html, and the batch list, www.fda.gov/ oc/po/firmrecalls/perrigo/ perrigobatchlist.html.
The batch numbers appear on the container’s label.
Associated Press
Store brand acetaminophen stands next to Tylenol on store shelves in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. The store brand pills were recalled, but Tylenol is not affected.
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