Avet Pharmaceuticals recalled eight lots of tetracycline antibiotics under the Heritage brand because the medication can fail to dissolve or effectively treat an infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert warning that when these medications don’t work, severe pneumonia or even death may result. Included in this recall are eight lots of tetracycline HCI capsules USP in 100-count bottles of 250-mg and 500-mg dosages.
What This Recall Means
When a drug has a low dissolution rate, it means that the pill doesn’t dissolve properly. This fails to release sufficient medication into a person’s body. This, in turn, could cause the treatment to fail, the recall notice says. If the drug is being used to treat a serious condition such as pneumonia, there is a potential risk that the illness could become worse and result in death.
Older adults and patients with compromised immune systems are, particularly at higher risk. So far, no adverse events relating to these defective drugs have been reported. The recalled tetracycline was distributed nationwide under the Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. label from August 2019 to March 2020.
Tetracycline is typically used to treat upper and lower respiratory tract infections, skin infections, and severe acne. If you are taking this drug, it is important to contact your doctor for further guidance and for a potential change of treatment before you stop taking it. Those with questions or concerns are asked to call Qualanex at 1-888-424-4341.
Liability Issues
Drug companies have a responsibility to manufacture drugs that are safe for consumers to use. However, we encounter a number of dangerous and defective drugs, both prescription and over-the-counter, which can have horrible, sometimes fatal, side effects. In some cases, the drugs may not work as they are supposed to, which could lead to other health consequences such as worsening of an illness or even death.
If you or a loved one has suffered the harmful effects of defective pharmaceutical products, you may be able to file a product liability lawsuit against the manufacturer and other potential parties seeking compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress. Families that have lost loved ones can file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation as well. An experienced product defect lawyer will be able to advise victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options
Source: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/avet-pharmaceuticals-inc-issues-voluntary-nationwide-recall-tetracycline-hcl-capsules-usp-250-mg-and
