Canadian Advil Recall: Pfizer Pulls Lots of Its Pediatric Drug

by | Feb 24, 2016 | Consumer Healthcare | 0 comments

Earlier this month, New York-based pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc announced it was voluntarily recalling some batches of Advil Pediatric Drops and Children’s Advil Oral Suspension products in Canada. The recall affects certain lots of the over-the-counter pain medicine due to “potential risk of inconsistencies in dosing.”

Canadian Government Confirms the Voluntary Recall

Health Canada, the Canadian federal health department, confirmed the voluntary Advil recall saying that “clumps” of Ibuprofen may form in the bottle and “lead to higher or lower doses that are given to infants and children if it is not shaken well before each use.” The agency also recommended that parents discontinue using these products for the time being.

What are the Possible Dosing Dangers?

The possible dangers of inconsistent dosing of pediatric Advil products include:
 

  • Doses that are too low might fail to reduce dangerously high fevers. High fevers can lead to more severe health issues, including possible convulsions.
  • Doses that are too high can cause children to vomit, become dizzy, experience decreased breathing rates, and more.

Pfizer Will Issue Refunds for the Recalled Lots

Pfizer has also announced that it will issue refunds to parents who purchased the affected children’s liquid Advil products. The company has posted an instruction sheet for refunds on its website. Refunds will be processed in two steps: (1) emailing the manufacturer and (2) returning the product to a pharmacy for safe disposal. Pharmacies won’t be providing refunds directly to consumers.

If you have purchased one of the recalled children’s Advil products, you can check either Pfizer’s website or Health Canada for a list of the products and lot numbers affected. You can also find out if your Advil product has been recalled you can also call Pfizer Canada directly at 888-275-9938.

 

The Advil recall comes at a poor time for Pfizer, which is also facing more than 250 lawsuits related to Zoloft, a prescription antidepressant that has been linked to serious birth defects in the children of women who took it while pregnant. The Zoloft cases are pending trial.