Teva Canada Recalls Seasonale Birth Control Tablets Due to Excess Placebo Pills

Health Canada has issued an urgent recall for certain packages of Seasonale Tablets, a popular birth control medication manufactured by Teva Canada. According to the agency, some affected packages were found to contain extra placebo (inactive) tablets, which could potentially compromise the effectiveness of the contraceptive regimen.

The recall specifically affects Seasonale Tablets containing 0.03 milligrams of ethinylestradiol and 0.15 milligrams of levonorgestrel. Health authorities warn that the presence of additional white placebo pills—intended for use only at the end of the contraceptive cycle—could lead women to inadvertently skip active hormones, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Health Canada is advising consumers who have purchased the affected product to carefully review their medication. Patients should continue taking the pink active pills up to the last row of the third tray, which contains the intended white placebo pills. If any white pills are present in the first or second tray, individuals are urged not to take those tablets and to return the product to a pharmacy as soon as possible for a replacement.

If immediate return to a pharmacy is not possible, patients are instructed to keep following the order of pink active pills as displayed in the package insert. Taking placebo pills at the wrong time may diminish contraceptive protection.

Health Canada recommends that anyone unsure about which pills to take consult with their pharmacist without delay. Additionally, individuals who have accidentally taken a placebo instead of an active pill should employ another non-hormonal contraceptive method and seek guidance from a health-care professional to ensure continued protection.

This recall highlights the importance of vigilance for both patients and healthcare providers when using prescription medications. Health authorities stress that, when in doubt, professional medical advice should be sought immediately to prevent potential complications associated with incorrect dosing.