Birth Control Recall - The drug is not among the more commonly prescribed brands of birth control. The brand Lo/Ovral ranked 64th in US birth control sales last year. The generic version, called norgestrel and ethinyl estradiol, ranked 30th, according to data firm IMS Health ...

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BIRTH CONTROL RECALL
POSTED BY EIZ ON THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY, 2012, 7:14 AM
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Birth-Control-Recall.png
The drug is not among the more commonly prescribed brands of birth control. The brand Lo/Ovral
ranked 64th in US birth control sales last year. The generic version, called norgestrel and ethinyl
estradiol, ranked 30th, according to data firm IMS Health ...
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BIRTH CONTROL RECALL
POSTED BYO EIZ N THURSDAY, 19 JANUARY, 2012, 7:14 AM
Pfizer has recalled about 1 million packets
of Lo/Ovral-28 and its generic equivalent,
but the company estimates that only about
30 packets were flawed. The pills were
made and shipped last year.
Each packet contains 28 days' worth of the
prescription, with 21 pills containing the
active ingredient that prevents pregnancy
and seven placebo pills. The pills are
n o r m a l l y c o l o r-c o d e d t o n o t e t h e
difference.
Women are supposed to take the pills in order and not mix the placebos with the active pills.
Doctors say taking three placebos or more in a row negates the pregnancy protection.
"Women who are potentially on this particular product need to be aware of (the recall) and take this
quite seriously," said Dr. Steven R. Goldstein, a New York University professor of obstetrics and
gynecology.
"You take it for a reason, and if that gets messed up ... it could change your life," she said. "It has a
big impact, just a simple mistake like that."
The student at Butler University in Indianapolis said her pills change color as she gets closer to
the placebo. Mifflin, who has been taking them for about six months, said she thinks she would
notice if the color were out of order, but she'll probably pay closer attention now.
The drug is not among the more commonly prescribed brands of birth control. The brand Lo/Ovral
ranked 64th in U.S. birth control sales last year. The generic version, called norgestrel and ethinyl
estradiol, ranked 30th, according to data firm IMS Health.
Doctors and pharmacists say Lo/Ovral is an older version of the pill that is not as widely prescribed
anymore. They do not expect many panicked calls about the mix-up.
"Patients are pretty savvy," said Dr. Adam R. Jacobs, division director of family planning at Mount
Sinai Medical Center. He said most women taking the pill would notice that the colors are out of