Major cholesterol drug recalled over ‘failed dissolution’: What patients must know

Over 140,000 bottles of a common cholesterol medication have been recalled because the pills “failed dissolution specifications,” meaning the drugs may not dissolve properly in the body once it’s swallowed.

Ascend Laboratories, a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company, first initiated the recall of the Atorvastatin Calcium Tablet on Sept. 19, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced.

The recalled drugs were categorized as a “Class II” recall meaning the product could “cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the administration.

The recall only affects 10mg, 20mg, 40 mg and 80mg atorvastatin calcium tablets manufactured by Alkem Laboratories of India and distribu