Most-prescribed drug in America recalled: How to tell if your medication is impacted

(NEXSTAR) – More than 140,000 bottles of a popular drug prescribed to reduce cholesterol have been recalled for a defect that could make the medication less effective.

Ascend Laboratories, LLC, a New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company, first initiated its recall of the atorvastatin calcium tablets on Sept. 19. In October it became a “Class II” recall, meaning health officials believe the use of the recalled product could cause some temporary or reversible adverse health effects.

Atorvastatin is a type of statin and the generic form of the name-brand drug Lipitor. It ranks as the most-prescribed drug in America and is used to treat cholesterol and reduce the chance of heart attacks.

The recalled batch of atorvastatins didn't pass a quality control test. Samples of the drug, taken betwee