Recalls - What's in Your Cupboard?

Every once in a while, I will cover the latest recalls/warnings that are announced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is very important for us to be aware of the various recalls/warnings as it relates to our health and wellness.

How about those over the counter products that you may reach for when you have a cold, headache or any other ailment? Well, here are a list of well known products that were recently recalled:

Junior strength Motrin
Children's Tylenol Grape Meltaway Tablets
Extra Strength Tylenol
Extra Strength Tylenol Rapid Release Gelcaps
Extra Strength Tylenol PM Geltabs
Motrin Caplets
Extra Strength Rolaids Fresh Mint Tablets
St. Joseph Aspirin chewable Orange Tablets
Benedryl Allergy Ultratab Tablets

For those who use weight loss drugs - Alli has a counterfeit version. The knock off version of Alli is being sold on the internet - especially on auction sites. It is the Alli 60 mg capsules (120 count refill pack). Now the counterfeit is of course illegal and it is unsafe. The FDA advises anyone with this knock off product - please discard (throw it out).


The knock off contains sibutramine which is dangerous to people who have a history of cardiovascular disease and can lead to a heart attack, stroke or an elevation of blood pressure. Do not dismiss this warning because you consider yourself to be healthy. The FDA warns that you too can experience side effects that includes

A racing heart
Anxiety
Small increases of blood pressure
Insomnia
Nausea
Heart palpitations

As with most knock offs, there is more emphasis on the appearance of the product rather than the quality of the product. This product as approved by the FDA contains an ingredient known as orlistat which is necessary for the product to work effectively as it is labeled in it's purpose for weight loss.

How will you know if you have the knock off? Here are a list of differences as indicated by the FDA:

It will have a missing LOT Code on the outer cardboard package

The expiration date of the real/authentic Alli only indicates the Month and Year
ex:(11/2010)not the Month, Day and Year (11/20/2010)

A plain foil for the inner safety seal without any words on it. The safety seal of
the real Alli has the words 'SEALED FOR YOUR PROTECTION' written on it

Large capsules with white powder rather than small white pellets which is found
in the real Alli

A slightly taller plastic bottle with a wider cap and coarser ribbing on the
cap than what is seen with the real Alli

We all want to ensure that we are informed consumers as we work to improve on our health and wellness. Please be sure to share this information with everyone as someone you know may have this product.


But wait there's more from weight loss to body building products heeeeeeeeeeere's MuscleMaster!


According to the FDA, together with MuscleMaster.com, Inc. sent out notification to consumers and healthcare professionals of the voluntary nationwide recall of all lots and expiration dates of the seventeen dietary supplements listed in the firm press release, sold between June 1, 2009 and November 17, 2009. FDA informed MuscleMaster.com that it believes that the recalled products contain ingredients that are steroids. The major concern for the consumers is the risk factors involved with those who are taking these products as steroids may have a harmful effect on the liver. In addition, steroids may cause other serious long-term adverse health consequences in men, women, and children. These include shrinkage of the testes and male infertility, masculinization of women, breast enlargement in males, short stature in children, a higher predilection to misuse other drugs and alcohol, adverse effects on blood lipid levels, and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and death.

More Information on Recalls

HEALTH ALERTS!

Have you ever received an email that warns you or serves as an alert that there is a recall on a medicine? These emails are usually forwarded from a family, friend or colleague who is sharing the information to make you aware of potential danger. What do you do with that information? Do you read quickly through it and then forward it on to others? Do you talk about it with others? Do you even remember?

While you may be concerned for your health, you may find yourself relying on the emails as a guide to what you should avoid. However, it is more important that you get the facts for yourself. You need to know if the information you received through your trusted sources is factually sound. There are those emails that are not necessary true - even though it mentions CNN, Good Morning America, Today Show and the various notable morning news programs.

Here are some solutions:

• The Food and Drug Administration has the important facts regarding the health alerts, warnings, reports, etc. www.fda.gov
• Your state has a Department of Health it may serve as place to know what is really good with the alerts. For example www.health.state.ny.us/ (New York) www.dhs.ca.gov/ California
  
• The Public Health Administration of your state for example www.mass.gov/dph/dphhome.htm (Massachusetts) or www.msdh.state.ms.us/ (Mississippi)
• Go directly to the source of concern - if it is a product that is made by Johnson and Johnson, www.jnj.com or Pfizer www.pfizer.com
  

You may have to go to the specific site search box and type in medical recalls, medical alerts or medical warnings. An example will be on the Johnson and Johnson website there is no visible link to alerts. However, if you use their search box, a list of products that were recalled or had alerts/warnings will appear.

Go ahead - do it - it's for your own knowledge and most importantly - your health.