Several drug alerts made the news this year. The warning from the FDA said clinicians should stop prescribing combination prescription pain relievers that contain more than 325 mg of acetminiophen, citing the risk for liver damage.
The agency also lowered the recommended starting dose of the sleep aid eszopiclone (Lunesta, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals). “Data shows that eszopicolone levels in some patients may be high enough in the morning after use to impair activities that require alertness, including driving, even if they feel wide or fully awake”, the FDA said in a statement.
Fianlly certain over-the-counter topical acne products can cause “rare but serious and potentially life-threateint allergic reactions or severe irritation, warned the FDA.
Oregon Health News provides updates on drug and food recalls for Oregon consumers and provides links to the FDA recall center.