>5 sinusitis medicines recalled in 2011
Recall in the U.S.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the pharmaceuticals issued recalls of the following medicines used for sinusitis in 2011:
EpinephrineInjection
American Regent, Inc. recalled lot number: 1395 of “Epinephrine Injection, USP, 1:1000, 1 ml. Amputes, NDC #0517-1071-25” in April 2012. Voluntary recall ascribed to presence of small particles in the injection and discoloration. Only the lot number: 1395, expiring in July 2012, recalled. The injection, a haemostatic agent, is also prescribed for mucosa congestion associated with acute sinusitis, rhinitis and hay fever.
Pentrexyl Forte Natural
Phoneix Import & Distribution LLC voluntarily recalled Pentrexyl Forte Natural in May 2011 due to misleading packaging. The packaging of the dietary supplement, therefore, confuses it with antibiotics. The drug without antibiotics may delay the recovery process in case of severe disorders. The recall applies to the lot number: 102050 and the lots distributed from November 1, 2010 to May 1, 2011. The red and white capsules, packed in green and white boxes available in retail stores located in Texas, expire in April 2014. The drug treats uncomplicated sinusitis.
Recall in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
Augmentin, amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium
The State Food and Drug Administration (S.F.D.A.) ordered GlaxoSmithKline Plc. (G.S.K.) for recalling amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, and Augmentin, the sinusitis medicine, from the Chinese market because the drugs contain Di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP), an additive used to enhance flexibility of plastics. DIDP is unsafe for humans. Augmentin is administered to the patients having bacterial infections, including sinusitis.
Recall in Canada
Mylan Amlodipine and Mylan-Minocycline
Mylan Pharmaceuticals issued a voluntary recall of Mylan Amlodipine 5mg tablets (bottles of 100) and Mylan-Minocycline 50mg capsules (bottles of 100 from lot number: 1037180) in March 2011 due to an error in labeling these drugs used for different disease treatments. Mylan Amlodipine is given to treat chest pain (angina) and high blood pressure, whereas Mylan-Minocycline treats sinusitis, bronchitis and urinary tract infections. The interchange of labels poses serious risk to the chest pain patients using the sinusitis medicine instead of angina medicine, and vice versa.
Bi Yan Pian
Wing Quon Enterprises Ltd recalled Bi Yan Pian (NPN: 80023876) in September 2011 due to high content of mercury in the acute and chronic sinusitis medicine made from the herb. The mercury is 10 times more than the upper limit fixed by Health Canada. The mercury can cause numbness, diarrhea, muscle cramps, pain in abdomen, nausea and vomiting.
