Though Pfizer apparently initiated a recall of its popular cholesterol fighting drug Lipitor (aka Atorvastatin) in August, it only came to the public attention this week. Regardless, a total of 191,000 90-pill bottles of the drug have been recalled from pharmacies in the U.S. and Canada.
In its listing on the FDA website, it describes the reason for the recall as “Chemical Contamination: complaints of an uncharacteristic odor identified as 2, 4, 6 tribromoanisole.”
2, 4, 6-tribromoanisole was also one of the culprits in this summer’s recall of Tylenol products. It is a chemical that is produced when fungi break down a commonly used fungicide called 2,4,6-tribromophenol. In the Tylenol situation, it is believed that the contamination happened after the fungicide was used to treat wooden warehouse pallets.
But a rep for Pfizer says in a statement to CNN that the company “has been working closely with the bottle supplier to determine the cause of the odor problem and to rapidly address it.”
The company also says that its own “medical risk assessment based on all the information we have has determined that the odor issue is not likely to cause adverse health consequences for patients.”
Pfizer recalled 191,000 bottles of Lipitor for odor [CNN]
More From Consumerist
-
24 Kinds Of Triaminic And Theraflu Recalled Because Childproof Caps Aren’t Childproof
-
Maybe You’re Better Off With 2 Fewer Ounces Of Nesquik Chocolate Milk, But It’s Still Sad
-
Study Says FDA Could Be Doing Better At Publicizing Drug Recalls
-
Camelbak Advertises Lifetime Warranty, Even Honors It If You're Clumsy
-
This Mr. Clean Label Helps You Brush Up On Basic Math Skills
I always thought “Lipitor” sounded like the name of a comic book super-villain
We used it in D&D for just such a purpose. the priest was Omacor, and one of the characters was Levaquin. Doctors play D&D. Usually while someone is in labor. It passes the time.
I think I’m gonna throw up.
I find it a little ironic that a fungus broke down a fungicide to create this odor. Sounds like someone needs a better fungicide.
When the fungus “eats” the tribromophenol, it dies.
I read it as “liquor” at first glance, and I was sad.
The recall involves only bottles of 90 of the 40 mg tablets. The 80 mg tablets are not listed by the FDA as being recalled.
Have you ever smelled Metformin. It smells the inside of an aquarium.
It’s because of all the rainwater leaking in the roof of the factories….
What is that a picture of? It looks disgusting.
Anyone who takes that crap is asking for problems. Go google “Statin side effects” and cringe..