Motrin Recall: FDA and McNeil Consumer Healthcare

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and McNeil Consumer Healthcare is voluntarily recalling all lots that have not yet expired of certain over-the-counter (OTC) Children’s and Infants’ liquid products that were manufactured in the United States and distributed in the United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Kuwait.

Motrin, Tylenol and Zyrtec recall 2010: Johnson & Johnson Recalls Children's Medicines

By JONATHAN D. ROCKOFF

Johnson & Johnson is recalling all lots of certain over-the-counter infant and children's products, including various formulations of Children's Tylenol, Motrin Infant Drops and Children's Zyrtec syrup.

The New Brunswick, N.J., company's McNeil Consumer Healthcare unit is withdrawing the products due to manufacturing problems, the Food and Drug Administration said in a news release. Some of the medicines may contain a higher concentration of its active ingredient than they should, while others may contain inactive ingredients at levels the company deems inappropriate or tiny particles, McNeil said in a news release.

The company said there haven't been any serious side effects reported, and both the company and the FDA said the potential for harm is remote. Still, the company and the agency said the products shouldn't be given to children as a "precautionary measure."

An FDA spokeswoman said all the recalled lots came from the Johnson & Johnson unit's manufacturing plant in Fort Washington, Pa. A routine FDA inspection at the plant turned up the manufacturing problems, which prompted the voluntary recall, the spokeswoman said.

FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg said in a release that the FDA has launched an investigation into the "products and facilities associated with this recall."

"We want to be certain that consumers discontinue using these products and that they know what to do if they have concerns about a specific product," said Ms. Hamburg. "While the potential for serious health problems is remote, Americans deserve medications that are safe, effective and of the highest quality."

Source: www.wsj.com

Tylenol Recall 2010

Tylenol medicines are produced by Mc Neil Consumer Healthcare of Johnson & Johnson and they have recalled their medicines from the market for an ‘unusual moldy, musty or mildew-like’ odor. The recall announced this Friday was broad based and includes several other over the counter drugs like junior strength Motrin, Motrin caplets, children’s Tylenol grape meltaway tablets, Benadryl allergy ultratabs, extra strength Tylenol PM geltabs, St. Joseph aspirin chewable orange tablets and extra strength chewable Rolaids fresh mint tablets. The smell in the pills may result nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and other illness.

CNN reports that the “recall drew the FDA’s wrath on Johnson and Johnson for not reacting quickly to customer complaints and its failure to fix the problem.” Deborah Autor, director of FDA’s compliance office, responded that the company should have acted faster as every company has a responsibility to ensure high quality, safety and effectiveness of their products and protect customers.

The recalled drugs are widely sold through a number of retail stores that includes large chain drug stores, supermarkets and independent pharmacies. McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the producer of these medicines has to report FDA on its efforts to address the problems and prevent the future violations in 15 days. If they fail to correct the legal violations, it may result legal action which may include seizure and injunction.

Many consumers are worried as there are many people who have already given the medicine to their children. There is also a reason to worry because there may be deficiency of Tylenol in the market for some time due to the recall.

Source: www.gaeatimes.com

Zyrtec Recall Added to Tylenol Recall 2010

Today a Zyrtec recall was issued along with the Tylenol recall 2010. The recall was issued because these products did not meet the quality standards, and may have more amounts of the active ingredients among other issues.

According to McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the recall was not issued because of medical hazards or concerns. They have said such events are remotely a possibility, but still recommend users to discontinue the use of these products.

Zyrtec Recall includes 5 products that were manufactured in USA and distributed in United States, Canada, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), Fiji, Guam, Guatemala, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, and Kuwait.

Check out the list below for the products included in the recall. Consumers can contact the company at 1-888-222-6036 and also at www.mcneilproductrecall.com.

Zuma's HIV test

By MANDY ROSSOUW


President Jacob Zuma will publicly take an HIV test on World Aids Day, as part of a major new campaign by the government to demonstrate its commitment to the fight against the disease.


Two presidency sources confirmed that Zuma will take the test to signal the shift from the ambiguous messages about HIV/Aids under Thabo Mbeki's administration.

The results will, however, not be made known.

Zuma will also be the face of a nationwide campaign that will encourage citizens to undergo HIV tests, with polling stations used for the 2009 general elections being transformed into testing sites. The campaign is due to kick off in March next year.

This is a significant departure from government's past position on HIV/Aids, where political leaders were not involved in awareness campaigns.

In 2001 Mbeki said in a television interview that he would not take an HIV test because "I don't believe that stunts -- publicity stunts -- help in addressing the health needs of our people".

Zuma will compel his Cabinet to be tested publicly as part of the awareness campaign.

"The president sees HIV not as just a health issue, but as a socioeconomic issue that will be with us for a long time," a government official told the Mail & Guardian. "The mixed messages of the past harmed us; we're trying to reverse the lost years."

The driving force behind the Aids campaign is Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who had a hand in Zuma's recent speech to the National Council of Provinces.


Source:  www.mg.co.za

Nollywood Actress, Cossy Orjiakor, shows off her boobs

Pictures: Excessive Boob Jobs: Chesty ladies Pictures

One look at these chesty ladies, and you would think their mega mammillas were fake…but are they really? These hyper-breasts are products of a well discussed topic of future beauty, where people wonder how far women will go to attract the attention of a man.

Personally, I think these over-sized breasts are revolting, but who knows? Maybe there are people in this world who find them irresistible!

Please note how large the sensor boxes had to be made.

Cryptococcosis Gattii: The Meaning, History, Symptoms and Picture of Cryptococcosis Gattii.

Cryptococcosis is an airborne pathogen, spreading through the air as opposed to from person-to-person contact.  The disease mainly infects groups with immune system deficiencies, particularly individuals who are HIV-positive.

Cryptococcus gattii, formerly known as Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii, is an encapsulated yeast found primarily in tropical and subtropical climates. Its teleomorph is Filobasidiella bacillispora, a filamentous fungus belonging to the class Tremellomycetes.. 

Other immunocompromised groups include children and infants, pregnant women, anyone with an autoimmune disorder, such as Lupus, and the elderly. There have been instances, however, where individuals with perfectly healthy immune systems have become infected, though these cases are rare.

History-Past Outbreak

Cryptococcus Gattii is a deadly form of fungus that is usually found in the tropics but in 1999 made its way into the soil and trees of British Columbia.  Recently, in 2004, the deadly stain of fungi was found in Oregon.

The spores of Cryptococcus Gattii when inhaled grow and attack the respiratory systems of animals and that includes humans.  From the time an animal inhales the spores, infection occurs within two to twelve months, but usually, seven months.

The deadly form of fungi leaves about 20% of its victims with menengitis which attacks the nervous system with deadly results.  Symptoms are high fever, headache, and neck pain.

It is unknown how the disease and spores of Cryptococcus Gattii are spreading, but they are now in the United States.

The disease in Oregon has had a 25% mortality rate while initially the disease had less than a 5% mortalitiy rate.  The disease is not spread from animal to animal or human to human but is said to be an enviromental disease instead.  

Symptoms

Symptoms of Cryptococcosis are much like those of pneumonia, with shortness of breath, a lingering cough and wheezing being amongst the most predominant. Other symptoms include skin lesions, fever, headache, and, in severe cases, a change in mental status.  Anyone experiencing these symptoms, particularly in the Northwest region of the United States, should seek immediate medical attention.

According to recent news reports and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a new strain of Cryptococcus gattii, or Cryptococcosis, has begun spreading through the Northwestern United States, namely Oregon, causing potentially fatal illness in both animals and humans.

Source: http://health.gather.com

Nexium (esomeprazole magnesium): Information, Side effects and Videocast

Nexium is the brand name in which Esomeprazole is prescribed and sold to patients.

Esomeprazole is a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) (brand names Sompraz, Zoleri, Nexium, Lucen, Esopral; Axagon in Italy, Nexiam in Belgium and South Africa) developed and marketed by AstraZeneca which is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastro esophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD) and Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.

Nexium decreases the amount of acid produced in the stomach.

Nexium is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other conditions involving excessive stomach acid such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. It is also used to promote healing of erosive esophagitis (damage to your esophagus caused by stomach acid).

Nexium may also be given to prevent gastric ulcer caused by infection with helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), or by the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Important information about Nexium

Do not use Nexium if you are allergic to esomeprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole (Albenza), or mebendazole (Vermox). Before taking Nexium, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease or any type of heart disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Take Nexium for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better before your treatment is completed. Do not crush, break, or open a delayed-release capsule. Swallow the pill whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time

Before taking Nexium

Do not use Nexium if you are allergic to esomeprazole or to any other benzimidazole medication such as albendazole (Albenza), or mebendazole (Vermox). Before taking Nexium, tell your doctor if you have ever had liver disease or any type of heart disease. You may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Some conditions are treated with a combination of Nexium and antibiotics. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Nexium side effects

 Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other less serious Nexium side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• headache;
• diarrhea;
• nausea, stomach pain, gas, constipation; or
• dry mouth.

You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Video Credits: www.5min.com

Learn about Nexium and Esomeprazole

Disclaimer

The information provided on this website is meant to supplement and not substitute for the expertise of your physician. Please always consult your doctor before you use any medication.

How the New Healthcare Bill May Affect You

by Katie Adams

The Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act, more commonly referred to as the "healthcare bill", has taken over a year to craft and has been a lightning rod for political debate because it effectively reshapes major facets of the country's healthcare industry.

Here are 10 things you need to know about how the new law may affect you:

1. Your Kids are Covered

Starting this year, if you have an adult child who cannot get health insurance from his or her employer and is to some degree dependent on you financially, your child can stay on your insurance policy until he or she is 26 years old. Currently, many insurance companies do not allow adult children to remain on their parents' plan once they reach 19 or leave school.

2. You Can't be Dropped

Starting this fall, your health insurance company will no longer be allowed to "drop" you (cancel your policy) if you get sick. In 2009, "rescission" was revealed to be a relatively common cost-cutting practice by several insurance companies. The practice proved to be common enough to spur several lawsuits; for example, in 2008 and 2009, California's largest insurers were made to pay out more than $19 million in fines for dropping policyholders who fell ill.

3. You Can't be Denied Insurance

Starting this year your child (or children) cannot be denied coverage simply because they have a pre-existing health condition. Health insurance companies will also be barred from denying adults applying for coverage if they have a pre-existing condition, but not until 2014.

4. You Can Spend What You Need to

Prior to the new law, health insurance companies set a maximum limit on the monetary amount of benefits that a policyholder could receive. This meant that those who developed expensive or long-lasting medical conditions could run out of coverage. Starting this year, companies will be barred from instituting caps on coverage.

5. You Don't Have to Wait

If you currently have pre-existing conditions that have prevented you from being able to qualify for health insurance for at least six months you will have coverage options before 2014. Starting this fall, you will be able to purchase insurance through a state-run "high-risk pool", which will cap your personal out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare. You will not be required to pay more than $5,950 of your own money for medical expenses; families will not have to pay any more than $11,900.

6. You Must be Insured

Under the new law starting in 2014, you will have to purchase health insurance or risk being fined. If your employer does not offer health insurance as a benefit or if you do not earn enough money to purchase a plan, you may get assistance from the government. The fines for not purchasing insurance will be levied according to a sliding scale based on income. Starting in 2014, the lowest fine would be $95 or 1% of a person's income (whichever is greater) and then increase to a high of $695 or 2.5% of an individual's taxable income by 2016. There will be a maximum cap on fines.

7. You'll Have More Options


Starting in 2014 (when you will be required by law to have health insurance), states will operate new insurance marketplaces - called "exchanges" - that will provide you with more options for buying an individual policy if you can't get, or afford, insurance from your workplace and you earn too much income to qualify for Medicaid. In addition, millions of low- and middle-income families (earning up to $88,200 annually) will be able to qualify for financial assistance from the federal government to purchase insurance through their state exchange.

8. Flexible Spending Accounts Will Become Less Flexible

Three years from now, flexible spending accounts (FSAs) will have lower contribution limits - meaning you won't be able to have as much money deducted from your paycheck pre-tax and deposited into an FSA for medical expenses as is currently allowed. The new maximum amount allowed will be $2,500. In addition, fewer expenses will qualify for FSA spending. For example, you will no longer be able to use your FSA to help defray the cost of over-the-counter drugs.

9. If You Earn More, You'll Pay More

Starting in 2018, if your combined family income exceeds $250,000 you are going to be taking less money home each pay period. That's because you will have more money deducted from your paycheck to go toward increased Medicare payroll taxes. In addition to higher payroll taxes you will also have to pay 3.8% tax on any unearned income, which is currently tax-exempt.

10. Medicare May Cover More or Less of Your Expenses

Starting this year, if Medicare is your primary form of health insurance you will no longer have to pay for preventive care such as an annual physical, screenings for treatable conditions or routine laboratory work. In addition, you will get a $250 check from the federal government to help pay for prescription drugs currently not covered as a result of the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole".

However, if you are a high-income individual or couple (making more than $85,000 individually or $170,000 jointly), your prescription drug subsidy will be reduced. In addition, if you are one of the more than 10 million people currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan you may be facing higher premiums because your insurance company's subsidy from the federal government is going to be dramatically reduced.

Conclusion

Over the next few months you will most likely receive information in the mail from your health insurance company about how the newly signed law will affect your coverage. Read the correspondence carefully and don't hesitate to ask questions about your policy; there may be new, more affordable options for you down the road.

Obama: Health care bill a victory for Americans

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says the health care legislation passed Sunday night by the House is "a victory for the American people" and "a victory for common sense."

The bill "will not solve every problem" in the health care system, Obama says, but "moves us in the right direction."

Obama praised Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats for getting the bill through Sunday night's 219-212 vote, saying they proved that the government "still works for the people."

The heated debate that surrounding the legislation will fade away, Obama said, leaving a "health care system that works better for the American people."

Source: Associated Press