The FDA has just issued a recall on the blood pressure medication Hydrochlorothiazide, after a potentially deadly labeling mix-up. If you or someone you know takes blood pressure medication, it’s important to check the medication immediately to see if you’ve been affected.
On August 27th, 2018, Accord Healthcare, Inc. issued a voluntary recall of lot PW05264 of the drug Hydrochlorothiazide. A pharmacy reported that a bottle in this lot, which was supposed to contain hydrochlorothiazide tablets USP 12.5 milligrams, actually contained spironolactone tablets USP 25 milligrams, used to treat congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver and other ailments. They believe that only one lot was affected by this mix-up.
How to determine if you have been affected
In order to tell whether or not your pills have been affected, you need to compare your medication with an image of the actual Hydrochlorothiazide. The FDA states, “Accord’s Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP 12.5 mg are light orange to peach colored, round, biconvex tablets debossed with H on one side and 1 on another side.” An image of this product is below:
If you are in possession of Accord Hydrochlorothiazide, but it does not match this image or if you are unsure, immediately discontinue use and return to your pharmacy or healthcare provider for confirmation. If you are experiencing adverse effects, seek medical attention immediately.
You Could Be in Danger
As reported by Pharmacy Times, “Use of spironolactone tablets instead of hydrochlorothiazide tablets, poses the risk of contracting increased potassium levels in certain individuals, resulting in adverse events that range from limited health consequences to life-threatening situations in certain individuals. To date, Accord has not received any reports of adverse events related to the recall of Lot PW05264.”
We urge you to check your medication before you take it, to make sure you are receiving what you were prescribed. If you have taken the medication in the mislabeled bottles of Hydrochlorothiazide, your life could be in danger, seek medical attention right away!
Medication mix-ups and potentially lethal medication mistakes are a major threat to US consumers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that “nearly half of the US population have used a prescription medication during the past 30 days.” With so many people taking prescription medication, when mistakes happen, many lives are at stake.
Hydrochlorothiazide Lawsuits
The hydrochlorothiazide labeling mix-up is a developing case. It is still too early to predict what legal action Accord Healthcare, Inc. may face and what kind of compensation the affected patients may be entitled to. However, the rights of those who may have been injured as a result of the mix-up are protected by law.
Pharmaceutical companies have a legal obligation toward patients to take all reasonable precautions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the drugs they manufacture and sell. If patients suffer adverse effects as a result of a company’s negligence, the drug manufacturer may be found liable for the injuries caused.
Affected patients may claim monetary compensation from the company to recover financial losses related to their injuries – such as medical expenses and lost income. Money may also be paid as compensation for physical and emotional suffering caused by the mishap. In addition, if a person dies as a result of a negligent act of a pharmaceutical company, their family may file a wrongful death claim against the manufacturer and demand compensation on behalf of the decedent.
If you suspect you or your family may have suffered health risk and adverse health effects due to the medication mix-up, we encourage you to contact Jason Stone Lawyers without delay. While we cannot yet determine how your case may develop, we are prepared to aggressively represent your interests and fight for the financial compensation to which you may be entitled.
Historically, lawsuits against big pharmaceutical companies that acted irresponsibly have resulted in favorable verdicts for the affected patients and large settlements. In many cases, such lawsuits yielded considerable amounts in compensation for the injuries. For example, in 2015, Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A. agreed to pay $2.37 billion to patients who claimed they suffered adverse health effects in connection with the use of one of the company’s diabetes drugs.
Jason Stone Lawyers are passionate about helping people who were subjected to medical mistakes through no fault of their own.
We have experience helping our clients get the compensation they deserve after the suffering caused by dangerous medication mix-ups. These cases against the pharmaceutical company can feel overwhelming, but our experienced lawyers have a great track record and we won’t settle until we get the best possible results for our clients.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Not Trusting What You’re Being Told?
Better Phone Stone
800-577-5188
START MY NO OBLIGATION CONSULTATION
