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Recalls of a widely used thyroid medicine and two combination blood pressure pills are among the latest drug recalls in the Food and Drug Administration’s weekly enforcement reports, a reminder that older adults and the family members who help manage their medicines should know how to check a pill bottle against a recall notice.
Here is what the latest reports show and seven practical steps to take, based on guidance from the FDA and other federal health agencies.
Which common medicines were recalled recently?
The FDA’s enforcement reports for Oct. 21 and Oct. 28, available through the agency’s openFDA recall database, include these nationwide recalls of medicines many older adults take:
- Levoxyl (levothyroxine) 175 mcg tablets, from Pfizer: 15,815 bottles of lot 24W06 (exp. 11/30/2026), recalled because testing found the tablets were subpotent. Class II.
- Amlodipine and olmesartan medoxomil 10 mg/40 mg tablets, from Ascend Laboratories: 11,424 bottles of lot 25120696 (exp. 12/31/2026), recalled for failing dissolution testing. Class II.
- Telmisartan and amlodipine 40 mg/5 mg tablets, from Viatris: 21,620 bottles from five lots, recalled because the telmisartan content could exceed specifications. Class III.
- Metoclopramide 5 mg tablets, from Teva: 240,448 cartons from four lots, recalled because other tablets were found in the bottles. Class II.
Under the FDA’s recall classification system, a Class II recall means using the drug may cause temporary health problems but the chance of serious harm is remote, and a Class III recall means using the drug is not likely to cause health problems. Class I recalls are the most serious.
1. Should you stop taking a medicine that has been recalled?
Usually not without talking to a professional first. The FDA says that for Class II and Class III recalls, consumers can generally keep taking the medicine unless the company gives other instructions, and that “in some instances, stopping your medicine may be more harmful to your health than continuing to take the recalled medicine.” For Class I recalls, follow the company’s instructions. When in doubt, call your doctor or pharmacist.
2. How do you check if your pills are part of a recall?
Compare the lot number on your bottle with the lot numbers in the recall notice, the FDA advises. Only listed lots are affected, so a bottle of the same drug with a different lot number is not part of the recall. Your pharmacy can tell you which manufacturer made your pills, since generic versions of the same medicine often come from several companies.
3. Where can you find recall notices?
The FDA notes that not every recall is announced publicly; public notices generally go out when a product was widely distributed or poses a serious hazard. Every recall is listed in the FDA’s enforcement report, and announcements for all FDA-regulated products are posted on its Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts page.
4. Why should you keep an updated medicine list?
The FDA recommends keeping an up-to-date, written list of every prescription, over-the-counter medicine and supplement you take and sharing it with all your health care providers. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, suggests keeping a copy in your wallet and at home. Adding each drug’s strength and manufacturer makes a recall check much faster.
5. Can a pill organizer help with recalls and daily doses?
MedlinePlus says a pill organizer may help people keep track of their medicines. For caregivers filling a weekly or monthly box, one simple habit helps with recalls: keep the original pharmacy bottles, with their labels and lot numbers, until they are used up, so you can still check them if a notice comes out.
Options range from simple weekly boxes to larger formats. Carex sells a range of pill organizers, and Ober Health offers a monthly AM/PM pill organizer with separate morning and evening compartments for people who take medicine twice a day.
6. How should you get rid of recalled or unused medicine?
If a company tells you to return a product, most retailers have return and refund policies for recalls, the FDA says. For other unused or expired medicines, the FDA says drug take-back sites are the best option for most drugs. If none is nearby and the drug is not on the FDA’s flush list, mix it with something unappealing like dirt, cat litter or used coffee grounds, seal it in a plastic bag, throw it away and scratch personal information off the label.
The Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in October collected 645,636 pounds of medicines at 4,212 sites, according to DEA results.
7. What if you notice a problem with a medicine?
If a pill looks different than usual or a person has an unexpected side effect, tell the pharmacist or doctor. Patients, caregivers and health professionals can also report problems to the FDA through MedWatch, the agency’s safety reporting program.
Key Takeaways
- Recent FDA enforcement reports list nationwide recalls of Levoxyl 175 mcg, two combination blood pressure pills and metoclopramide 5 mg tablets.
- For Class II and III recalls, the FDA says people can generally keep taking the medicine unless told otherwise; ask a pharmacist or doctor before stopping.
- Only the listed lot numbers are affected, so check the lot number on your bottle.
- Keep an updated medicine list and the original bottles, even if you use a pill organizer.
- Use a drug take-back site to get rid of unused medicine, and report problems through FDA MedWatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my blood pressure medicine is recalled?
Check whether the lot number on your bottle matches the recall notice. For Class II and III recalls, the FDA says you can generally keep taking the medicine unless the company says otherwise. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping.
Was levothyroxine recalled in 2026?
Pfizer recalled one lot (24W06, exp. 11/30/2026) of Levoxyl levothyroxine 175 mcg tablets because testing found them subpotent, according to the FDA’s Oct. 28, 2026, enforcement report. It is a Class II recall.
What is the difference between Class I, II and III recalls?
Class I is the most serious, with a reasonable chance of serious health problems. Class II may cause temporary health problems with a remote chance of serious harm. Class III is not likely to cause health problems.
Where can I check for drug recalls?
The FDA lists all recalls in its weekly enforcement report and posts company announcements on its Recalls, Market Withdrawals and Safety Alerts page. Your pharmacy can also check for you.
Featured image: A weekly pill organizer with tablets and capsules. (Stevepb, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons)
