Generic Lipitor, atorvastatin calcium, recalled over tiny glass particles

[bananas]

Source: CBS News

Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Inc. is recalling more than 40 lots of atorvastatin pills -- the generic version of the popular statin Lipitor -- over possible glass contamination.

<snip>

The company's voluntary recall affects certain lot numbers of 10 milligram, 20 milligram and 40 milligram dosage strengths of atorvastatin calcium pills that are packaged in 90- and 500-count bottles. Ranbaxy said the recall is being conducted with knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

A complete list of lot numbers, bottle sizes and dosages can be found on Ranbaxy's website. Patients taking these pills can contact their pharmacy to see if their pills were from affected lots.

<snip>

Earlier this year, the FDA and Ranbaxy settled an ongoing legal battle over questionable manufacturing practices and "data integrity issues" at several of the company's Indian facilities and one located in New York State. A consent decree was filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on behalf of the FDA in which the drug manufacturer agreed to remedy these problems.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57553697/generic-lipitor-atorvastatin-calcium-recalled-over-tiny-glass-particles/

[blue neen]

1. Good grief.

There are so many people who take statins. I never did trust the damn stuff, anyhow.

[Spirochete]

2. I think it exempts me

I am taking atorvastatin, but in 80 mg pills.

[99th_Monkey]

4. Me too. 80 mg. ~nt

[atreides1]

9. I'm good

Mine is manufactured by another Lab. But I checked the NDC# just to be sure.

[lexw]

3. Does anyone else think this medication is over-prescribed?

[eggplant]

6. That would depend on whether you believe there is a causal link between cholesterol levels...

...and heart disease. I'm not sure there is, but one heart attack was enough for me, thank you very much.

[kwassa]

12. Me, too. I take 80 milligrams.

[dixiegrrrrl]

8. I know a Dr who is pushing it.

The lab tests numbers for high cholesterol have changed in recent years.
Used to be 240 and below was "normal", now it is 200.
Mr. Dixie's doc was pushing statins when his level was 204.
Really pushing.
Mr. D refused, changed his diet to include oatmeal, fresh raw carrots, celery and apples, and no beef.
( Meat is a very small part of our diet)
6 mos. later the lab results were 173, along with HDL & LDL well with in normal ranges.
Doc never said a word..not one word..about the sharp decrease.
Mr. Dixie has a new found respect for the wonders of diet.

[kcass1954]

11. Mr k lasted a week on it. He was up in the 260-270 range.

Turns out he can control it with diet and exercise.

[kwassa]

13. My cholesterol was 139 when I had a heart attack.

I was on a low-dose statin, too, but the damage had already been done.

95% close of the left anterior descending artery.

and, I have no known risk factors, even family history.

[eggplant]

16. That LAD is a bitch.

Mine was about the same. I ended up with three stents, and I'll be eating aspirin and plavix for the rest of my life, probably.

Luckily for me, the local cardiac rehab place turned out to be one of the best in the country (who knew?) -- six months of that does wonders for outcome odds. I'm coming up on seven years, with no repeats.

Of course, I've developed a lovely panic disorder in the meantime (a not uncommon result). Those really suck.

[MADem]

15. I do. nt

[eggplant]

5. Not my lot number. Whew. I'm on the 20s. n/t

[slackmaster]

7. Thanks for posting this, bananas. Fortunately my generic atorvastatin was made by Watson.

Not Ranbaxy.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

10. I take 40's.....

checking now.....

Edit: Damn.... mine are by Raxbaxy...

[NashvilleLefty]

14. Thanks for posting this! I checked the lot# on their website

and luckily mine was clear. *whew*

[WilliamPitt]

17. Why I love DU, chapter 44,776,091

I take generic lipitor (high cholesterol in the family), checked my bottle, and woop, there it was.

Took it to CVS, swapped it out, and problem fixed.

Might not have heard about the recall but for LBN.

Thanks for the post, bananas! I only like ground glass with my hemlock.

[slackmaster]

18. Hopefully peoples' pharmacies will alert people who are affected by the recall

They are the only people other than the consumers themselves who have the information.

I expect them to, but you can't count on anything in this world.

[donco]

19. Doc took me off Lipitor

put me on So-niacin, 1000 mg before i go to bed. works for me