FDA Recalls Allergy Medication Over Potential Cross-Contamination
If you keep allergy pills in your medicine cabinet, it's worth taking a quick look at the label.
A new FDA recall is affecting four lots of cetirizine tablets, a generic version of the popular allergy medicine Zyrtec. The tablets are being recalled because they may have been cross-contaminated with ranitidine during manufacturing.
Which Allergy Medication Is Being Recalled?
The allergy medication recall involves:
Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg
100-count bottles
NDC Number: 16571-401-10
Expiration Date: October 2028
The affected lot numbers are:
GY825029
GY825030
GY825031
GY825032
The recalled medication was manufactured by Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories and nationally distributed by Rising Pharma Holdings.
Why Is It Being Recalled?
According to the FDA, the recall was issued after a pharmacy technician noticed unusual red discoloration on some cetirizine tablets while filling a prescription.
An investigation found the tablets may have been contaminated with ranitidine, a medication used to treat heartburn, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers.
For anyone who’s allergic or hypersensitive to ranitidine, taking a contaminated tablet could trigger a severe allergic reaction, including anaphylaxis.
The good news is that, as of the recall announcement, the company hasn’t received any reports of reactions to the affected lots.
What Should You Do?
If you have this medication at home, check the bottle's lot number and expiration date.
If you have one of the recalled lots, stop using the product right away and contact Rising Pharma Holdings for information about returning it at 1-844-874-7464, pv@risingpharma.com, or qa@risingpharma.com.
If you've experienced any symptoms after taking the medication, contact your doctor right away. You can also report any side effects through the FDA's MedWatch program.
A Quick Medicine Cabinet Check
Recalls like this can sound alarming, but they're also a reminder that the safety systems in place are working.
In this case, a sharp-eyed pharmacy tech spotted something unusual before any injuries were reported, leading to a nationwide cetirizine recall that was initiated out of an abundance of caution.
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