An antibiotic called Metronidazole has been recalled by the United States Food and Drug Administration because the tablets are "underweight" – meaning they don’t contain enough active ingredient to actually work.
Metronidazole is used to treat infections caused by bacteria and parasites. Typical uses include for conditions such as:
Septicemia (blood poisoning)
Infections of the brain
Vaginosis (an infection of the vagina)
Trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection)
Infections after childbirth
Pneumonia
These are just a few reasons why Metronidazole would be used and there are many other conditions that it is used to treat. Some illnesses – such as septicemia, can cause death if not treated promptly so having an antibiotic that doesn’t have enough active ingredients in it is very dangerous, as it means the patient will not receive the prescribed dose which could mean his or her infection could either reoccur or get worse. This could result in death for patients with serious infections.
The affected lot is number 312566. If you have any antibiotics with this lot number, please stop taking them and return them to your pharmacy and see your doctor for a further prescription of antibiotics.
If you think you have had an adverse event relating to this medication, you can report it online at:
http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
Consumers with questions regarding this recall may contact 866-262-1243.