Medication Recalled Due to Concerns of Prescription Painkillers Being Mixed with Over the Counter Drugs
A Novartis medication plant in Lincoln, Nebraska manufactures both over the counter medications like Excedrin and powerful prescription painkillers like Percocet. Due to a potential medicine mix-up, Novartis has recalled some packages of Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin, and Gas-X.
The Chicago Tribune reports there have been no confirmed incidents of the prescription drugs being found in over-the-counter bottles. The recall was enacted due to complaints about broken pills and inconsistent packaging. Novartis voluntarily shut down production while it enacts safeguards to prevent drug confusion in the future.
The prescription drugs Percocet, Endocet, Opana, and Zydone have not been recalled due to concerns about a potential shortage as the facility in Nebraska has been shut down. FDA experts say “the likelihood of finding a wrong tablet in an opiate pain medication dispensed to patients is low and patients should not be unduly alarmed.” However, if patients find pills in their medication that look different from the others, they are encouraged to return the medication to their pharmacy.
For more information about the recall, customers can contact Novartis at 1-888-477-2403 Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.
