3 Popular Pain Relievers Have Been Recalled Nationwide

You might have a preferred over-the-counter medication that just seems to metabolize effectively in your body to bring down your pain when you need it. Whether your pick is Advil, Aleve, or Tylenol, a 2023 American Heart Association poll found that nearly 50% of participants surveyed took over-the-counter pain relievers at least once a week.

But if you look for a little cost saving on these standard active ingredient formulas, last week a major maker of generic alternatives for those three name-brand pills was noted for recalls on 39 medications all indicated to treat a wide range of conditions. New Jersey-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc. USA is the pharmaceutical company behind the three recalled pain relievers:

• Naproxen Sodium (generic version of Aleve)
• Acetaminophen (generic version of TYLENOL)
• Ibuprofen (generic version of Advil)

For the acetaminophen and ibuprofen tablets, the words “Amazon & Walmart” were included with the lot numbers and expiration dates (found below), but it’s unclear from the report whether this means these products were sold specifically at Amazon and Walmart.

The FDA provided the following identifying details for the recalled pain relievers:

Naproxen Sodium Tablets, USP, 550mg, Rx Only

• 100-count bottles
• Lot number: 17231956
• Expiration date: Aug-25

Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen (NSAID) Tablets, 250 mg/125 mg

• 144-count packets (NDC# 72657-157-74) and 216-count packets (72657-157-76)
• Lot numbers and expiration dates:
  • 17241302, exp. date Jul-26
  • 17241140, exp. date Jul-26
  • 17241141, exp. date Jul-26

Total quantities of the recalled drugs were not provided.

Made available to the public on April 8, the FDA report says “CGMP Deviations,” or Current Good Manufacturing Practice regulations, led to the recall. Reasons for this can vary, such as active ingredient dosages differing from what’s labeled, or exposure to the elements, such as humidity, during transport. (The report notes that these three products were manufactured in India.)

Though the specific quality deviations are not stated, the FDA has assigned the Glenmark recall as a Class II event, meaning FDA experts have deemed that the incident “involves products that may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects.”

The Quality section of the Glenmark Pharmaceuticals website states the company has “14 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities that are inspected by various regulatory bodies,” with listed manufacturing facilities in the U.S., India, Argentina, and the Czech Republic.

In February, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled nearly 1.5 million bottles of a medication called atomoxetine, which is typically taken to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

If you have any of the listed medications in your home, it may be advisable to consult a pharmacist or doctor for recommendations on both disposing of the recalled drugs and getting replacements.

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