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Counterfeit Version of Adderall Unsafe, Ineffective, FDA Warns


May 30, 2012 — A counterfeit version of Adderall (Teva Pharmaceutical Industries) 30 mg tablets being sold on the Internet is unsafe, ineffective, and potentially harmful, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns.
The FDA's preliminary laboratory tests show that the counterfeit tablets contain the wrong active ingredients. Adderall contains dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate, dextroamphetamine sulfate, and amephtamine sulfate. In contrast, the counterfeit medication was found to contain tramadol and acetaminophen.
Currently on the FDA's drug shortage list, Adderall is in short supply owing to active pharmaceutical ingredient supply issues. Teva continues to release product as it becomes available. The FDA warns that "consumers should be extra cautious when buying their medicines from online sources. Rogue Web sites and distributors may especially target medicines in short supply for counterfeiting."
The counterfeit Adderall tablets are round, white, and do not have any markings. The FDA has posted a link to photos of the counterfeit pills and notes that any product that resembles the tablets or packaging and claims to be Adderall 30 mg pill should be considered counterfeit.
In contrast, authentic Adderall 30 mg tablets produced by TEVA are round and orange/peach in color, with "dp" embossed on one side of the tablet and "30" on the other side. Teva's Adderall 30 mg tablets are packaged only in a 100-count bottle with the National Drug Code (NDC) 0555-0768-02 listed.
The Adderall 30 mg product may be counterfeit if:
  1. The product comes in a blister package.
  2. There are misspellings on the package.
    • "NDS" appears instead of "NDC."
    • "Aspartrte" appears instead of "Aspartate."
    • "Singel" appears instead of "Single."
  3. The tablets are white in color, round in shape, and are smooth.
  4. The tablets have no markings on them.
Anyone who believes they have the counterfeit version of Teva's Adderall 30 mg tablets should not take or should stop taking the product. Consumers should talk to their healthcare professional about their condition and options for treatment.
Consumers and healthcare professionals are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects from the suspect counterfeit Adderall to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
  • Complete and submit the report online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm.
  • Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.
Consumers who believe they have received counterfeit Adderall should contact the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI) at 800-551-3989 or http://www.fda.gov/OCI.

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