Birth Control Pill Recalled, Could Lead To 'Unintended Pregnancy'

MADISON, NJ — The pharmaceutical titan Allergan has issued a nationwide voluntary recall for one of its birth control pills due to a packaging error. The recall was issued late Tuesday and applies to packages of the company's Taytulla contraceptive drugs.

Four placebo capsules were placed "out of order" in a sample pack, Allergan said in a statement.

"Specifically, the first four days of therapy had four non-hormonal placebo capsules instead of active capsules," the release said.

Birth control pills taken out of sequence as a result of the packaging error could result in "contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy," the release said.

Those who take the pills might not notice the order was reversed, the company said, which increases the odds they are taken in the wrong sequence.

The Taytulla package has 24 "active" pink softgel capsules — with hormones — with the letters "WC" printed on the outer shell in white to be taken for 24 days. Users then take four maroon-colored capsules — with no hormones — over the next four days. These are also labeled with the letters "WC" on one side.

Allergan is alerting customers by recall letter and is arranging to have all recalled sample packs returned. Consumers who have the sample pack product with the lot number #5620706 Exp. May 2019 should notify their doctor to arrange a return.

Those with questions about the recall can call the pharmaceutical company at 800-678-1605 Monday through Friday.

Allergan's headquarters are based in Dublin, Ireland. The company's administrative headquarters are located in Madison, New Jersey.

Shares of the company reportedly fell nearly 2 percent Tuesday after news of the recall broke.

Photos credit: Allergan