(RxWiki News) Pfizer, Inc. recalled 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 and 14 lots of Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol birth control pills because they were incorrectly made and may not prevent pregnancy.
The voluntary recall was issued after Pfizer discovered that the packages might contain pills out of sequence or contain an inexact number of tablets.
"Return Lo/Ovral-28 or Norgestral/Ethinyl Estradiol birth control pills if they are in the recalled lots."
According to a press release from Pfizer, the packaging mistake could mean women taking pills from the affected lots may not be adequately protected from becoming pregnant.
Women taking pills from these lots should immediately use an additional non-hormone form of birth control, such as a condom, diaphragm or similar barrier device.
They should also return the pills to the pharmacy and tell their doctor they had pills from the affected lots.
These oral contraceptives are normally part of a "blister pack" with 21 pills containing active ingredients and 7 with inactive ingredients which are taken during the woman's period.
If a woman takes the pills out of sequence or does not take the correct number of active-ingredient pills in a month, she is not taking adequate contraception.
No immediate health risks other than pregnancy can result from the incorrectly packaged pills.
If women have any adverse events from using the recalled pills, they should report it to the FDA online, by mail or by fax.
A complete list of the affected lot numbers is available on Pfizer's website.
