Tuesday-Newsday #46

[I'm posting a day early because of the drug recall & warning]


Tuesday-Newsday time! Today we look at stories from these subjects: ALERT: Drug Recall & FDA Warning Pain Rx, Chronic Pain & Meditation, Migraines/Headaches, and Lyme Disease. The last item is a really interesting blog post by Selena at the site OhMyAchesandPains: “My Illness Picture: Thoughts and Impressions On What It Says About Me.”

Let Me Know: If you’d like me to watch for articles on your pain condition, just drop me a note in the comments section below.

WARNING:  My goal is to provide the most up-to-date news I can, which you can then take to your personal doctor and debate the merits of before you try it. I do not endorse any of the docs, treatments, info, and meds in anything I post nor can I guarantee they are all effective, especially not for everyone. I always include the citation, source, or website so you know where it came from. As is the case with any health info, ALWAYS get your doctor's opinion first!

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* ALERT: DRUG RECALL & FDA WARNING *

*Recall Issued for Excedrin, Bufferin, Gas-X and NoDoz

Novartis issued a recall of Excedrin, Bufferin, NoDoz and Gas-X citing concerns that some bottles contain tablets of other medications which could result in consumers taking the incorrect product and receiving a higher or lower strength than intended or receiving an unintended ingredient. This could potentially result in overdose, interaction with other medications a consumer may be taking, or an allergic reaction. Novartis reported this in a statement posted on the FDA website. 

The recalled lots include select bottle sizes of Excedrin and NoDoz with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014, or earlier and some bottle sizes of Bufferin and Gas-X with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013, or earlier.  Complete information about the recall and how to get refunds is on the Novartis website. 

*FDA Warns Pain Patients that Percocet, Endocet, Opana and Zydone may also be affected by recall, and a shortage could be coming

FDA officials warn that some of Novartis' over-the-counter pills may have accidentally been packaged with prescription painkillers made at the same facility: Percocet, Endocet, Opana and Zydone. The painkillers are NOT being recalled because they are essential medications for many patients and the risks of stray pills are low.

FDA inspectors are currently inspecting the plant and uncovered a manufacturing problem that could allow pills to become stuck in the machinery and carry over to the packaging of other products. 

There is concern about a shortage of these painkillers in coming weeks due to the shutdown of the facility. Novartis voluntarily halted production at the plant last month. For more information, click the title to read full article.

*PAIN Rx

FDA Approves New Fentanyl Sublingual Spray

Arcalyst Used in Tandem With Another Drug Helped Prevent Painful Gout Flare-ups

*CHRONIC PAIN and MEDITATION

Mindfulness Meditation Is Rediscovered

Meditation May Help Brain Tune Out Distractions: Study Helps Explain Why Meditation Improves Concentration

*MIGRAINES / HEADACHES

Migraines may raise depression risk: study

Mixed Results for Migraine Treatment, Preventive Efforts

Help With Those “Migraine Resolutions”: Keeping resolutions can be challenging. Here are some resources from Migraine.com to help you stick to some of the most common “migraine resolutions” for 2012.

*LYME DISEASE

Clinical evidence for rapid transmission of Lyme disease following a tick bite

VIDEO: Lyme doc’s testimony on PA Bill 272, protecting MD prescription of long-term treatment

*A CHRONIC PERSPECTIVE

My Illness Picture:  Thoughts and Impressions On What It Says About Me

by Selena at OhMyAchesandPain