Generic Tylenol recalled due to metal particles

[asterroc]

If you have bought any generic-version Tylenol (acetaminophen in the US, paracetamol elsewhere), some of these are being recalled due to metal particles in the pills. Check the store brand, expiration date, and batch/lot number (printed near the date on the label). There's a list of store brands that were possibly affected (including CVS and Wal-Mart), a list of batch/lot numbers and expiration dates (all seem to start with a 5 or a 6, and expire between 2006 and 2009), the FDA notice, and the company Perrigo's own notice.

This is not a hoax or email chain letter, feel free to check the links above to confirm. Please spread the word.

Comments

[meredithanne42.livejournal.com]

I head about that a couple of days ago. Thanks for the links to check batch & exp numbers. I do have a listed bottle on my desk right now.

Are the metal pieces actually *in* the pills, or just with the pills? Do you know what kind of symptoms one might have if they swallow a pill with metal in it? I mean, I'm guessing it could tear up your insides somewhat, but how would you know it happened? After I read the story, I was assuming that there were just metal pieces in some of the bottles, and that if I looked closely enough and didn't find any, I'd be okay. But it might be *in* the pills themselves?

Do you know if they give a refund if the bottle is sent back? Their instructions say to either discard the contents or send them back, nothing about replacements or refunds.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

All I know is what I linked. Relevant portions of the FDA description:

...small metal fragments found in a small number of these caplets ... metal fragments ranging in size from "microdots" to portions of wire 8 mm in length.
...
To date, there have been no illness or injuries received ... the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote; however if a consumer were to swallow an affected caplet, it could result in minor stomach discomfort and/or possible cuts to the mouth or throat. ...

Consumers who believe they are in possession of the affected products should discontinue use immediately and call Perrigo's Consumer Affairs Department, 877-546-0454 for further instructions. Any adverse reactions experienced with the use of this product should be reported to Perrigo at the above number and the FDA's MedWatch Program by phone at 800-FDA-1088, by fax at 800-FDA-0178 or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

What I would do is call both of the phone numbers listed (Perrigo and MedWatch) and see what they say. If nothing's clear, I would send a letter in writing to Perrigo and CC the FDA. I'd ask for a refund (not replacement) and include a photocopy of my receipt if I still have it, or credit card bill, or an estimate of the cost. I'd save the bottle and offer to ship it back if they pay for it. Otherwise, I would discard it after receiving the refund.

I've never had a recalled product, but I did once send a complaint to Cure-Aid for "bandaids" that stripped my skin off when I removed them. They sent me a package of "sensitive skin" bandaids (which also turned out to injure my skin) and a full refund. I think I sent a photocopy of my receipt. They didn't ask for proof of the injury or anything, I got the impression they were trying to avoid lawsuits by appeasing me. They did appease me for that incident, but I won't buy their products in the future. I expect Perrigo will be similarly obliging to try and avoid lawsuits. Keep your eyes/ears open for class action suits that might affect you.

[meredithanne42.livejournal.com]

I'm reading the FDA notice, which seems to have more info. Sorry to bombard with questions. :-P

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

No worries. I replied anyway. :)

[marquiswildbill.livejournal.com]

Looks like someone misplaced a decimal place when they were loading catalyst in the reactor. Silly chemical operators.

[zandperl.livejournal.com]

Sorry, but if you read the FDA page it says that the company had previously informed the FDA that one of their machines was wearing down, implying that the metal flakes came off of the machine. The flakes have only been found in the 500mg pills, however that could possibly support your hypothesis as well, so it's an inconclusive bit of info. But yeah, I'd place my bets on the machine.

[marquiswildbill.livejournal.com]

Well, failure to properly maintain reactors still falls on the operations group. I did some further reading and it does look like it is bits from a mixer or something. Working in catalysis has trained my first responce to a metal contamination issue to be related to the catalyst.
Maybe I'll run an ICP for iron on a few random tylenols in my house.
But this is why I like asprin. It's a much cleaner synthesis.

[myoosikal.livejournal.com]

metal?! that's uh... scary