Type a medicine, brand, or active-ingredient keyword - the tool searches the product description, the recalling firm name, and the openFDA brand and generic name fields in one pass, so "Tylenol" and "acetaminophen" both find the same reports. Matching enforcement reports list newest first, with an optional filter by the recalling firm's state. Each report card carries the classification badge, reason, lot codes, initiation date, status, and distribution; Class I matches are flagged in red, and the classification table below explains what each class means.
Drug Recall Lookup
Check whether a medicine in your cabinet has a US FDA recall. Type a brand, a generic name, or the maker (Tylenol, acetaminophen, a pharmacy chain) and the page lists matching enforcement reports, newest first, straight from the official openFDA database.
The latest drug recalls render the moment the page loads, before you type anything, so you can see what a real result looks like first.
Key features
- One search checks four fields at once - the product description, the recalling firm name, and the openFDA brand and generic names - so the brand name and the active ingredient both find the same reports.
- An optional state dropdown narrows results to recalling firms based in one US state; where the medicine was actually distributed is shown separately on each report card.
- Each report card shows the product description, a brand/generic line when openFDA enrichment is present, the recalling firm with city and state, the recall classification, whether the recall was voluntary or FDA-mandated, the reason, the affected lot codes, the initiation date, the current status, and the distribution pattern.
- Class I results - FDA's most serious category, meaning a reasonable probability of serious health consequences or death - render with a prominent red banner and per-card badges, so the dangerous matches are impossible to miss.
- A no-match search states plainly that no report matches the query, echoes the query back, suggests trying the generic name instead of the brand, and links to fda.gov/safety/recalls to confirm - never a blank panel.
- Results are sorted newest first by report date.
Privacy
Your search goes only to the official US-government openFDA API - never to this site's servers - and this page does not store it. There is no upload and no server-side processing on this site; openFDA is keyless and free, so no account is needed on either side.
Recall classifications and coverage
The built-in classification table explains Class I, Class II, and Class III severity, plus a numbered what-to-do list for a recalled medicine at home - including why you should ask a pharmacist before stopping a prescription. This page covers human drugs only - prescription and over-the-counter. Medical device and animal-drug recalls are separate FDA systems, dietary supplements are FDA-regulated foods (use the food recall lookup for those), and enforcement reports lag breaking news by days to weeks, so this is not a live-alert feed. For vehicle safety campaigns, use the vehicle recall lookup instead. This tool is informational - it is not medical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which recalls does this tool cover?
Human drugs in the openFDA drug enforcement database - prescription and over-the-counter medicines sold in the United States. Medical device recalls and animal-drug recalls are separate FDA systems and are NOT included, and dietary supplements are FDA-regulated foods - check the food recall lookup on this site for those.
Should I search the brand name or the generic name?
Either works. One search checks the product description, the recalling firm, and the openFDA brand and generic name fields together, so "Tylenol" and "acetaminophen" find the same reports. If a brand search returns nothing, try the active ingredient - older reports sometimes carry only the generic wording in the product description.
What do Class I, Class II, and Class III mean?
They are FDA's severity classifications. Class I is the most serious: a reasonable probability that the product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death. Class II covers temporary or medically reversible effects with a remote probability of serious harm. Class III means the product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences. This page shows the classification on every report card and flags Class I matches with a red banner.
My medicine is recalled - should I stop taking it?
Not necessarily, and not on your own for a prescription. For some conditions, stopping a medicine abruptly is riskier than the defect behind the recall. Compare your lot number against the report first - recalls usually cover specific lots - then ask your pharmacist or prescriber what to do; they can confirm whether your lot is affected and arrange a replacement. This page is informational, not medical advice.
Why does a recall from today's news not show up?
Enforcement reports enter the openFDA database days to weeks after a recall is first announced. If you just saw a recall in the news, check fda.gov/safety/recalls for the announcement itself; this tool is best for confirming details - lot codes, distribution, status - once the enforcement report is published.
How do I know whether my package is affected?
Compare the lot number (and NDC) printed on your package or pharmacy label against the lot codes line in the report card. A recall usually covers specific lots and expiration dates, not every package of the product. If your lot matches, follow the what-to-do list under the classification table and talk to your pharmacist.
What does the state dropdown filter by?
The recalling firm's home state, because that is the state field the FDA data carries. Where the medicine was actually sold is the Distribution line on each report card - many recalls distribute nationwide from a single-state firm, so leave the dropdown on Any state unless you are researching a specific company.
Is my search private?
Your keyword and state go directly from your browser to the official US-government openFDA API (api.fda.gov) - never to this site's servers - and this page does not store them. openFDA is keyless and free; no account is needed on either side.
Does this cover recalls outside the United States?
No. The openFDA enforcement database covers products distributed in the US market. Other countries publish their own recall feeds (for example recalls-rappels.canada.ca in Canada or the TGA alerts page in Australia).