Pfizer has recalled over 360,000 bottles of Lipitor in the last three months because of the issue. The company recalled 140,000 bottles in August and another 191,000 earlier this month.

Friday's action affects two product lots.

Similar complaints have triggered multiple recalls by competitor Johnson & Johnson in the past year. While patients have reported nausea and diarrhea after using those products, the risk of serious harm is remote, according to a memo from the Food and Drug Administration.

As with the J&J recalls, Pfizer said the issue was caused by trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, which is used to treat wooden pallets often used to store and ship bottles.

Pfizer said its inspectors found the chemical in packaging materials and wooden pallets at the Puerto Rican plant which supplies its bottles.

"We have identified the source of the odor and we are enacting rigorous measures to prevent odor-related issues going forward," the company said in a statement.

The company warned that there could be additional recalls of products previously shipped from the plant. However, no bottles have tested for the odor since changes were made in August, according to Pfizer.