Yesterday, I received a call from my pharmacy letting me know that one of my medications was recalled. After listening to the entire recording, I immediately began researching why. I wanted to make sure that I was going to be ok.

Luckily, I realized that it was one of the medications that I didn't use very frequently. In fact, I've actually only taken it once since it was prescribed to me. Nevertheless, this was still a very important matter.

The only problem was, it's one that my doctors never prepared me for. I had absolutely no idea what I should do. So in the event that any of your medications get recalled, I've created a list of steps to take.

1. Stay calm.

This one is important! You aren't going to be able to do anything if you're too busy freaking out. You need to remain calm so that you're able to figure out what to do and dispose of the medication properly.

2. Research more information on the recall on the FDA website.

One of the most important things that you need to know during a recall, is the reason for the recall. So make sure that you head to the FDA website and read the report to learn exactly why your medication was recalled.

3. Call your pharmacy.

More than likely, you will learn about the recall from your local pharmacy. If they didn't include instructions in their initial call, then make sure to call them back. Some medications will have different rules and regulations, so you will need to see what you should do with the left over medications.

4. Call your doctor.

After a medication recall, it is important to call your doctor to let them know of any new symptoms you experienced while taking the medication. It is important to tell them this information so the doctors can report it to the proper authorities.

5. Schedule an appointment with your doctor.

As soon as you can, you should make an appointment with your doctor. There you will be able to discuss the symptoms you experienced, if any, further. You will also be able to ask questions and request an alternative medication.

6. Dispose of your left over medications. 

Once you've talked to your doctor about the proper way to stop taking your medication, it is important to dispose of it. Make sure you follow your doctor's and pharmacist's instructions completely! Some will recommend throwing the medications away, while other medications may need to be returned to the store. In the case that it is an over the counter medication, some stores may provide a refund when they are returned. 

While sometimes a drug recall can be frightening, it doesn't have to be. There are many reasons for why they can be recalled. Some of which include: them being a health hazard, them being mislabeled or packaged poorly,  them being potentially contaminated, them not being what they are supposed to be, or them being poorly manufactured. 

Overall, if you follow each of these steps, as well as your doctor's and/or pharmacist's orders, you should be able to move forward through this recall without any problems. And if you happen to come across any, you can always visit a walk-in clinic or call a lawyer. Of course, I hope this isn't the case!

Are there any tips you'd like to add to this list? Let me know in the comments!