Birth control pills recalled due to packaging error that could lead to pregnancy

NEW YORK -- Allergan PLC issued a voluntary recall in the U.S. market of one lot of Taytulla birth control.

Allergan recently identified, through a physician report, that four placebo capsules were placed out of order in a sample pack of TAYTULLA. Specifically, the first four days of therapy had four non-hormonal placebo capsules instead of active capsules.

The packs affected by the recall belong to Lot # 5620706, Expiration May-2019 of Taytulla (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol capsules and ferrous fumarate capsules) 1mg/20mcg, 6x28 physicians sample pack.

As a result of this packaging error, oral contraceptive capsules that are taken out of sequence may place the user at risk for contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy.

The reversing of the order may not be apparent to either new users or previous users of the product, increasing the likelihood of taking the capsules out of order.

If patients have concerns regarding the possibility of an unintended pregnancy, they should consult their physician.

The Taytulla pill pack is a 28 count blister card that has 24 "active" pink softgel capsules (with hormones) with "WC" printed on the outer shell in white to be taken for 24 days, followed by 4 maroon softgel capsules (without hormones) also imprinted with "WC" on one side to be taken for the next four days.

If you are a patient in the U.S. who has used a Taytulla sample pack from Lot # 5620706, Exp. May 2019 and are concerned that you may be impacted by this issue, please consult with your physician. This product was distributed nationwide to healthcare providers.

Allegan is notifying customers by recall letter and is arranging for return of all recalled sample pack product. Consumers who have the sample pack product with the associated lot number should notify their physician to arrange a return.

Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Allergan by phone at 800-678-1605 from 8am-8pm EST Monday through Friday.

Problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

- Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

- Regular mail or fax: Download form www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm or call 1-800-FDA-1088 to request the form, then complete and return the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For more information about TAYTULLA and the full prescribing information, please visit www.taytulla.com.