Thyroid Medication Recall: ‘Superpotent’ Hypothyroidism Drug Causes Hyperthyroidism

thyroid medication recall

Acella Pharmaceuticals, LLC is voluntarily recalling certain lots of the hypothyroid medication NP Thyroid.  According to the company announcement, the thyroid medication recall follows tests showing certain lots are “superpotent.” The affected products may have up to 115.0% more liothyronine (T3) than what is on the label.  Read on to learn more about this medication recall.

Thyroid Medication Recall Information

According to the company announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the affected lots of NP Thyroid may contain more than the standard dose of liothyronine.  Liothyronine and levothyroxine are the primary ingredients in NP Thyroid.  These two medications work together to treat underactive thyroid.  Patients who take more than expected could experience serious side effects.

The superpotent NP Thyroid was distributed to accounts across the United States.  The product is packaged in 100-count bottles of 30, 60 and 90 milligram pills.  The lots affected by the thyroid medication recall can be identified by the following:

NP Thyroid 30 mg

  • Lot M329A19-1, expiration 20-Dec
  • Lot M329H18-1, expiration 20-Jul
  • Lot M329J18-1, expiration 20-Aug
  • Lot M329J18-2, expiration 20-Aug
  • Lot M329J18-3, expiration 20-Aug
  • Lot M329M18-2, expiration 20-Nov

NP Thyroid 60 mg

  • Lot M330J18-2,A expiration 20-Aug
  • Lot M330J18-3, expiration 20-Aug

NP Thyroid 90 mg

  • Lot M331G18-1, expiration 20-Jun
  • Lot M331J18-1, expiration 20-Aug
  • Lot M331J18-2, expiration 20-Aug
  • Lot M331M18-1, expiration 20-Nov
  • Lot M331M18-2, expiration 20-Nov

Acella is working to notify wholesalers and other accounts about the recall.  They are arranging for return of all NP Thyroid medication included in the recall.  Consumers who take NP Thyroid should contact their healthcare provider to find out if they should stop taking their medication.  Consumers certainly should not stop taking NP Thyroid without talking to their doctor first.

Risks of Superpotent Thyroid Medication

Patients who take NP Thyroid are undergoing treatment for hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid.  If they take a superpotent variety of NP Thyroid, they may experience symptoms of overactive thyroid.  These symptoms may include:

  • Heat intolerance
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle weakness
  • Weight loss
  • Hypertension
  • Chest pain
  • Heart rhythm disturbances
  • Rapid heart rate

The superpotent variety of thyroid medication is also dangerous to pregnant women.  The FDA notes that pregnant women may experience negative maternal or fetal outcomes, such as impaired fetal development or miscarriage.

Consumers who take NP Thyroid can contact Acella Customer Service if they have questions.  Consumers who experience adverse events while taking NP Thyroid can also complete a report online through the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.  These reports help the FDA understand side effects that patients experience.

Learn More about Medication Safety and Your Rights

Pharmaceutical companies must follow certain guidelines when manufacturing, distributing or marketing their products.  In the case of NP Thyroid, the superpotentency was discovered through testing at Acella’s facility.  Unfortunately, many medication problems are not apparent until consumers report adverse events.

If you have questions about medication safety and your rights as a consumer, contact Drug and Device Watch.  We help consumers who have been harmed due to defective or dangerous medications or medical devices.  If you are suffering an injury and want to learn more about your rights or options, contact us for a free case evaluation.  You can call us toll free at 1-888-458-6825, or complete our online form to get started.

 

 

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