HHP Medication Safety Watch: April 2025

Harvard Health Publishing shares selected recalls, withdrawals, and alerts from the FDA, drug and supplement makers, and other sources. We've provided links to information for each product. Unless otherwise noted, these actions apply only to the specific brand name of the product listed. Talk to your health care provider before stopping or changing any medicines or treatments that they have recommended for you.

• Prescription medicines

Prescription medicines

Multiple generic drugs recalled due to possible contamination

• Nearly two dozen generic prescription drugs made by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals that treat many common symptoms and conditions, including:
• • diabetes
  • hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • coronary artery disease
  • high cholesterol
  • heart failure
  • atrial fibrillation (an abnormal heart rhythm)
  • overactive bladder
  • bacterial and fungal infections
  • nerve pain
  • epilepsy (seizure disorders)
  • migraines
  • schizophrenia
  • seasonal allergies
  • nausea
  • pain due to inflammation
  • multiple sclerosis.

Comment: The recalls follow an FDA inspection of a manufacturing facility for these drugs that found problems in testing and cleaning. Some medications might be contaminated with other medications, leading to serious interactions and allergic reactions. Rules to prevent such cross-contamination were reportedly not followed. Check the FDA's recall notice for a full list of the affected drugs and their lot numbers.

FDA warning on multiple sclerosis drug

• Consumers are warned not to use Ozempic (semaglutide), 1 mg injection, labeled with certain lot numbers or serial numbers.

Comment: Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic, reported to the FDA that several hundred units of counterfeit medication and needles have been sold by unauthorized distributors. The FDA and Novo Nordisk have concerns about the fake drugs' ingredients, sterility, quality, and safety. While testing of the counterfeit products continues, a press release from the manufacturer recommends that consumers check the lot number and serial number to be sure the product is authentic.

Read additional issues of HHP Medication Safety Watch