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BaltoDCIC
06-01-2005, 07:32 AM
Hi Everyone!

I was not able to post this message under ICN Announcements, nor was I able to post the entire list of drugs being recalled because the message board only allows posts of 10,000 character or less. However, I hope that many of you will read this message here, since I couldn't find a better place to post it, and that you will review the actual drug list on FDA.org or on MSNBC. The story title is "Able Labs recalls drug inventory" and the actual FDA letter is posted there on MSNBC as well.

These drugs, some of which may have been prescribed to treat IC or other common conditions associated with it, like migraines, were made by one particular drug company, Able Laboratories. Many are generics.

Generic means that the "recipe" is generally known and can be produced by many companies. I've contacted my pharmacy just to verify that none of the drugs I've recently had refilled were made by Able Labs. Thankfully, they were not. For example, I take the generic Atenolol (brand name, Tenormin) for migraines. Since it was made by Mylan, this medication is fine.

Please review the drug list, via MSNBC or FDA.org, and contact your pharmacy should you have any questions about your medications. Your phamacist can look it up to verify whether or not Able Laboratories produced the medication and they will instruct you on how to go about getting a replacement if required. You should also be able to look on the bottle itself to find out which drug company produced the medication. For example, on my prescription bottle associated with my migraine medication, on the lower right hand side of the label, it states "MFG: MYLAN".

If your medication is a narcotic on this list, do not throw it out. Your doctor may be required to have you bring in the balance of the prescription left and throw it away in the presence of a nurse BEFORE he writes you a new prescription. However, contact your doctor first to get the scoop on the exact procedure he/she needs to follow should your pain medication be found on the FDA list.

REMEMBER: This list only applies to drugs, generic or otherwise, produced by Able Laboratories.

Take care.>Tina

tigger_gal
06-01-2005, 09:50 AM
thanks tina :)
here is the link http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2005/NEW01182.html
Brat

emilyrose197377
06-01-2005, 09:56 AM
Thanks for the information I am thankful my pain meds are made from another pharmacetictual company besides able.

BaltoDCIC
06-01-2005, 10:46 AM
Hi Brat!!!

It's been a while since I've posted on the ICN. I used to be TinaNacho on the boards several years ago and have been busy running my own support group in Maryland/DC for a couple of years now. It's good to see you're still hangin round the boards and thanks so much for posting the actual link.

Note to Jill: I think it'd be a good idea to post the actual FDA letter on not only the message boards, but perhaps also on the home page. My pharmacist didn't go into the details of why the FDA pulled these drugs from the market, but a person interviewed for the story on the NBC Nightly news last evening said they waited far too long to pull them. My pharmacist said Able Labs must have really violated some important controls, because these types of recalls are unheard of.

Makes you wonder.....and worry.>Tina

ICNDonna
06-02-2005, 03:38 AM
I checked prescriptions for both my husband and me and found one with an Able manufacturer. I telephoned my pharmacist and they will exchange my pills today (phenergan).

If you look at the label on prescriptions, you will find the name of the manufacturer. I went to the FDA site and printed out the list, but when I looked at our prescriptions it became evident that I didn't need the list since they were all marked.


Donna

marye
06-02-2005, 06:24 AM
Thanks for the info. I have tramadol from them. Funny thing is when the pharmacist first changed to this generic and it was a different shape, I went to the pharmacist to make sure they were correct because I didn't feel that they helped as much as the ones I had from Sidmark. So I found some old ones from Sidmark and haven't been taking the Able ones. I'll go talk to them today.

marye
06-02-2005, 07:34 AM
Tramadol by Ivax is manufactured by Able and mine were on the recall list. I never felt they were as helpful as the other generics. The pharamacist offered me a refund but I told her I want my pills, so they are exchanging them. They were not aware that the Ivax had been recalled also, so I was glad I had taken the printout from the
FDA site. Thanks so much, Tina and Brat, for alerting us to this, I'm glad I don't have to take them anymore, there was a noticeable difference to me.