Complaint prompts recall of birth control pills prescribed in Canada

An example of improper packaging with missing birth control pills is shown in a handout image from a recall notice issued by Teva Canada Inc.

Two brands of birth control pills prescribed in Canada have been recalled due to packaging error.

The public advisory posted late last week warns users not to skip any doses, and to get to a pharmacy for a replacement or alternative if possible.

The recall by Teva Canada Inc. followed a complaint from a user who noted a package of the pills was “missing an entire blister card,” the notice from Friday said.

Upon investigation, the company issued a recall of two lots of Seasonique – tablets containing levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol, and ethinyl estradiol. It also recalled one lot of Seasonale, which contains levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol.

The affected lots are as follows:

• Seasonique – DIN 02346176, expiry 07/2027, lots 100073408 and 100077864; and
• Seasonale – DIN 02296659, expiry 01/2027, lot 100076607.

These products were sold in 91-day supplies, each containing three blister cards of pills. Of those pills, 84 are active and taken back-to-back, allowing users of Seasonique and Seasonale to have only four periods a year, instead of monthly. Periods occur during the remaining week, when they’re taking the seven yellow (Seasonique) or white (Seasonale) pills.

Users may notice their packages of birth control are missing pills. The recall notice said anyone missing a full blister card or any individual pills should return it to avoid missing doses.

Missing a pill or pills increases risk of unwanted pregnancy.

Because these pills are meant to be taken daily, unless otherwise directed, those behind the recall advise anyone missing pills go to the pharmacy right away to replace them.

If they can’t get to the pharmacy urgently, the recall notice says, they should take the next pill as noted on the packaging. More information on which pills to take, depending on which pills are missing, is available at the bottom of the recall notice.

“It is important that you do not skip any doses or stop taking your medication,” the recall said.

The notice also advises anyone with concerns to consider use of another, non-hormonal, method of birth control as a backup, such as condoms, to reduce the risk of pregnancy until they’re able to obtain a replacement pack of pills.

In addition to possible pregnancy, the recall notes missing a pill may lead to other side effects like spotting or irregular bleeding.

The notice did not say how many Canadians might be impacted by the recall. Anyone with questions is advised to speak to a doctor, or to contact Teva Canada.

This recall comes less than a year after another issue with missing pills in Seasonique packages. In May of 2025, Teva Canada recalled a single lot of the pills after a complaint that one package was missing two pills.

Similarly, two lots of Seasonale were recalled in June 2025 when it was discovered that some packages may have contained extra placebo tablets.