It can be alarming to find out that a drug you take has been recalled. You may worry about your health and whether the drug has damaged your body or put you at risk of serious illnesses and diseases. But only a small percentage of recalled medications are actually dangerous.
That’s because the majority of recalled medications are recalled because of labeling or manufacturing errors that typically don’t put patients at risk. There are three types of recalls:
- Class III recalls—Medications with improper labeling or manufacturing processes may fall into this category, and they rarely threaten patients’ health.
- Class II recalls—Medications that might cause temporary health problems or that have a very small chance of posing more serious health problems fall into this category.
- Class I recalls—Medications that are inherently dangerous or defective that could cause serious health problems fall into this category.
If you find out that your medication is subject to a Class III recall, it’s likely to still be safe to use. However, you should ask your doctor and follow the FDA’s instructions.
Class II recalls can go either way—in some cases, patients are still safe to use the medications, while in other instances, they should discard them. But no patient should ever stop taking a medication without speaking to their doctor first—even when the medication is subject to a Class I recall.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, it’s our goal to help people hurt by dangerous medications get compensation for their injuries and illnesses. Contact our drug injury lawyers today for a free consultation if you or someone you love was harmed by a defective drug.