Atorvastatin cholesterol medication recalled, FDA report says

Thousands of bottles of a popular and widely used cholesterol drug are being voluntarily recalled for "failed dissolution specifications," which suggests the drugs did not properly dissolve at a standard rate and could lead to a reduction in the drug's effectiveness.

According to an enforcement report from the Food and Drug Administration, 141,984 bottles of Atorvastatin Calcium Tablet — a generic for Lipitor — which were manufactured by Alkem Laboratories, were recalled by distributor Ascend Laboratories on Sept. 19.

Oct 10, the recall was classified as a "Class II," which means the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences," or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

The recalled products were issued by prescriptio