News

• FDA News Alert: OTC Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Labels May Change

  April 02, 2013

  FDA News Alert: OTC Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Labels May Change

• FDA News Alert: Know the Active Ingredients in Your Children’s Medicines

  March 14, 2013

  FDA News Alert: Know the Active Ingredients in Your Children’s Medicines

• FDA News Alert: What Consumers Should Know About Triclosan

  March 07, 2013

  FDA News Alert: What Consumers Should Know About Triclosan

• FDA News Alert: People Seek Information about Hemorrhoids

  February 12, 2013

  FDA News Alert: People Seek Information about Hemorrhoids

• FDA News Alert: Don’t Double Up on Acetaminophen This Flu Season

  January 24, 2013

  The FDA’s latest Consumer Update reminds us to never take more than one medicine containing acetaminophen at a time.

• New Research Shows Negative Interactions Between Grapefruit and Certain Medicines

  November 27, 2012

  Researchers have updated a list of medicines that may have negative interactions with grapefruit, if taken together.

• FDA Warns Parents to Safely Store OTC Eye Drops and Nasal Sprays Out of Children’s Reach

  October 25, 2012

  The FDA has issued a warning to safely store over-the-counter eye drops and nasal decongestant sprays out of the reach of children. You can visit the Up and Away site for more tips on keeping medicines out of sight of small children. If your child accidentally swallows these medicines, call the National Capital Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) and seek emergency medical attention immediately.

• FDA Consumer Updates on Topical Pain Relievers

  September 13, 2012

  The FDA has released a new warning stating that some consumers have reported serious skin injuries from using certain over-the-counter (OTC) topical pain relievers containing menthol, methyl salicylate, and capsaicin to relieve mild muscle and joint pain. Although rare, these injuries have ranged from mild to severe chemical burns. The FDA has posted guidelines for patients to avoid these injuries, as well as information on reporting any unexpected side effects from topical pain relievers to the FDA MedWatch Program.

• News Regarding OTC Products Containing Benzocaine

  May 31, 2012

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a communication regarding a rare adverse effect in professional and OTC products containing benzocaine. OTC gel and liquid medications containing benzocaine provide relief for children and adults who experience mouth pain. While FDA’s announcement notes very rare but serious instances of methemoglobinemia, a condition in which the amount of oxygen carried through the blood stream is reduced, associated with these benzocaine medications, these products are safe when used as directed for the large majority of consumers.

  Due to these rare instances, FDA has recommended that the products not be used in children under two years of age except under the advice of a healthcare professional.

• FDA Drug Safety Communication: Infants’ Liquid Acetaminophen

  December 27, 2011

  View the Original Article

  Commentary

  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is informing the public that an additional concentration of liquid acetaminophen marketed for "infants" (160 mg/5 mL) is now available at local stores. Until now, liquid acetaminophen marketed for infants was only available in 80 mg/0.8 mL or 80 mg/mL concentrations. This change in the concentration will affect the amount of liquid given to an infant, and should be especially noted if someone is accustomed to using the 80 mg /0.8 mL or 80 mg/mL concentrations of liquid acetaminophen.
  
  In addition to this change in concentration, this product may also be packaged with an oral syringe instead of a dropper.
  
  To avoid confusion and the potential for dosing errors, consumers, parents, and caregivers should carefully read the Drug Facts label on the package to identify the concentration of the liquid acetaminophen (in mg/mL), dosage, and directions for use. Do not depend on banners stating it is a new product to identify different concentrations of liquid acetaminophen. Many products have similar banners.
  
  It is also important to use the dosing device provided with the product in order to correctly measure the amount of liquid acetaminophen to be given. Patients and caregivers should contact their healthcare professional if they find the measuring device confusing or are unsure how to measure a dose for a child using the device provided.
  
  Healthcare professionals should make sure to provide directions to patients that specify the concentration and dose of liquid acetaminophen that should be given to a child.
  
  

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