Migraine Drug Topamax Recalled: Strange Odor, But Little Cause for Concern
Drug manufacturer Johnson & Johnson has issued a voluntary recall on 57,000 bottles of its migraine drug Topamax. Topamax is an antiseizure medication used for migraine prevention. Four customers reported smelling a musty or moldy odor when they opened their bottles of the medication. The company says the odor does not pose a danger to patients but may be associated with brief stomach discomfort.
Unfortunately, this isn't the first time Johnson & Johnson has recently recalled a medication following complaints of a moldy or musty odor. Tylenol was subject to a similar recall last month. J&J has also recalled other over the counter medications in the past year for a myriad of different problems. The company says the source of the musty or moldy odor observed by patients using Topamax is a chemical called TBA, which is used to treat wooden palates. Why it is that this problem wasn't rectified following the Tylenol recall is unknown.
J&J believes only about 6,000 bottles are still on the market. If you take this medication you should check with your pharmacy to make sure you didn't receive any of the tainted medication. If you happen to have a bottle with a lot number on it you can match it against the lot numbers involved in the recall at this link: Ortho-McNeil Neurologics Voluntary Recalls Two Lots of Topamax.
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