A nationwide recall has been issued for cetirizine hydrochloride tablets, the generic version of Zyrtec that millions of Americans keep in their medicine cabinets. Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories initiated the recall after a pharmacy technician discovered that bottles of 5-mg allergy tablets were contaminated with ranitidine, a medication used to treat heartburn and ulcers. The wrong-colored pills were noticed during a routine inventory count, and thankfully the mix-up was caught before it caused any serious harm.
The contamination poses a significant risk for people with hypersensitivity to ranitidine, as taking the wrong medication could potentially trigger life-threatening allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. However, no illnesses have been reported in connection with this recall so far. The FDA has listed specific lot numbers on its website, and consumers can check their bottles against these numbers to determine if their medication is affected. The recall applies to products sold nationwide at multiple retailers, so if you or anyone in your household takes generic allergy medication, now is the time to check your supply.
If you discover that you have a recalled bottle, contact Rising Pharma Holdings Inc. at 1-844-874-7464. Their customer service team is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time to answer questions and assist with recalls. Do you take over-the-counter allergy medication regularly? Have you checked your bottles yet?
