Health Canada is reminding parents and caregivers not to use products containing benzocaine in children under two years of age. Benzocaine products may cause a serious blood condition called methemoglobinemia (MetHb), which reduces the ability of red blood cells to deliver oxygen throughout the body. Over-the-counter (OTC) products that contain benzocaine are used in children...
Tag: OTC
Misuse and Abuse of Antidiarrheal Loperamide- January 2018
FDA announced new action to combat the growing problem of abuse and misuse of the opioid-based antidiarrheal medication loperamide (Imodium). In 2016, the FDA warned about life-threatening cardiac events, including QT interval prolongation, torsades de pointes or other ventricular arrhythmias, syncope, and cardiac arrest, with loperamide misuse and abuse. The FDA notes that some individuals...
Opioid Cough Medicines under 18 Years Old
The FDA will require label changes that limit the use of prescription opioid cough and cold medicines containing codeine or hydrocodone to adults aged 18 years and older. In addition, the agency will require added safety information highlighting the risks of misuse, abuse, addiction, overdose, death, and slowed or difficult breathing to the “boxed warning”...