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Ezol FDA Alerts

The FDA Alerts below may be specifically about Ezol or relate to a group or class of drugs which include Ezol.

MedWatch Safety Alerts are distributed by the FDA and published by Drugs.com. Following is a list of possible medication recalls, market withdrawals, alerts and warnings.

Recent FDA Alerts for Ezol

Acetaminophen Prescription Combination Drug Products with more than 325 mg: FDA Statement - Recommendation to Discontinue Prescribing and Dispensing

Jan 14, 2014 | Audience: Consumer, Dentistry, Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pharmacy, Pain Management, Surgery

ISSUE: FDA is recommending health care professionals discontinue prescribing and dispensing prescription combination drug products that contain more than 325 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule or other dosage unit. There are no available data to show that taking more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit provides additional benefit that outweighs the added risks for liver injury. Further, limiting the amount of acetaminophen per dosage unit will reduce the risk of severe liver injury from inadvertent acetaminophen overdose, which can lead to liver failure, liver transplant, and death.
 
Cases of severe liver injury with acetaminophen have occurred in patients who:

• took more than the prescribed dose of an acetaminophen-containing product in a 24-hour period;
• took more than one acetaminophen-containing product at the same time; or
• drank alcohol while taking acetaminophen products.

BACKGROUND: In January 2011 FDA asked manufacturers of prescription combination drug products containing acetaminophen to limit the amount of acetaminophen to no more than 325 mg in each tablet or capsule by January 14, 2014. FDA requested this action to protect consumers from the risk of severe liver damage which can result from taking too much acetaminophen. This category of prescription drugs combines acetaminophen with another ingredient intended to treat pain (most often an opioid), and these products are commonly prescribed to consumers for pain, such as pain from acute injuries, post-operative pain, or pain following dental procedures.

Acetaminophen is also widely used as an over-the-counter (OTC) pain and fever medication, and is often combined with other ingredients, such as cough and cold ingredients. FDA will address OTC acetaminophen products in another regulatory action. Many consumers are often unaware that many products (both prescription and OTC) contain acetaminophen, making it easy to accidentally take too much.

More than half of manufacturers have voluntarily complied with the FDA request. However, some prescription combination drug products containing more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit remain available. In the near future FDA intends to institute proceedings to withdraw approval of prescription combination drug products containing more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit that remain on the market.

RECOMMENDATION: FDA recommends that health care providers consider prescribing combination drug products that contain 325 mg or less of acetaminophen. FDA also recommends that when a pharmacist receives a prescription for a combination product with more than 325 mg of acetaminophen per dosage unit that they contact the prescriber to discuss a product with a lower dose of acetaminophen. A two tablet or two capsule dose may still be prescribed, if appropriate. In that case, the total dose of acetaminophen would be 650 mg (the amount in two 325 mg dosage units). When making individual dosing determinations, health care providers should always consider the amounts of both the acetaminophen and the opioid components in the prescription combination drug product.

Health care providers and pharmacists who have further questions are encouraged to contact the Division of Drug Information at 888.INFO.FDA (888-463-6332) or druginfo@fda.hhs.gov.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

[01/14/2014 -  FDA Statement - FDA]
[Acetaminophen Information - FDA]

Acetaminophen: Drug Safety Communication - Association with Risk of Serious Skin Reactions

Aug 1, 2013 | Audience: Dermatology, Primary Care, Pharmacy

ISSUE: FDA notified healthcare professionals and patients that acetaminophen has been associated with a risk of rare but serious skin reactions. Acetaminophen is a common active ingredient to treat pain and reduce fever; it is included in many prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) products.  These skin reactions, known as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP), can be fatal. These reactions can occur with first-time use of acetaminophen or at any time while it is being taken.  Other drugs used to treat fever and pain/body aches (e.g., non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDS, such as ibuprofen and naproxen) also carry the risk of causing serious skin reactions, which is already described in the warnings section of their drug labels.

BACKGROUND: This new information resulted from the Agency’s review of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database and the medical literature to evaluate cases of serious skin reactions associated with acetaminophen (see Data Summary at link below).  It is difficult to determine how frequently serious skin reactions occur with acetaminophen, due to the widespread use of the drug, differences in usage among individuals (e.g., occasional vs. long-term use), and the long period of time that the drug has been on the market; however it is likely that these events (i.e., SJS, TEN, and AGEP) occur rarely.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Health care professionals should be aware of this rare risk and consider acetaminophen, along with other drugs already known to have such an association, when assessing patients with potentially drug-induced skin reactions. Any patient who develops a skin rash or reaction while using acetaminophen or any other pain reliever/fever reducer should stop the drug and seek medical attention right away.  Anyone who has experienced a serious skin reaction with acetaminophen should not take the drug again and should contact their health care professional to discuss alternative pain relievers/fever reducers.

FDA will require that a warning be added to the labels of prescription drug products containing acetaminophen to address the risk of serious skin reactions. FDA will also request that manufacturers add a warning about serious skin reactions to the product labels of OTC acetaminophen drug products marketed under a new drug application and will encourage manufacturers of drug products marketed under the OTC monograph do the same.

[8/01/2013 - Consumer Update - FDA]

[8/01/2013 - Drug Safety Communication - FDA]

Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Tablets (USP 50mg, 325mg, 40mg) and Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets (USP 7.5mg, 500mg): Recall - Bottle Mislabeled

Jun 27, 2011 | Audience: Pharmacy, Patient

ISSUE: Qualitest and FDA is notifying pharmacists and patients of a recall to the retail level of specific lots of Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Tablets and Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets due to possibility that the recalled bottles may contain incorrect tablets, and patients may unintentionally take butalbital and caffeine instead of hydrocodone. Unintentional administration of butalbital could result in symptoms such as sedation, lightheadedness, dizziness, and nausea. Additionally, patients with an allergy to butalbital could experience a hypersensitivity reaction. Side effects due to caffeine are less likely, due to the small amounts in this formulation, however, those individuals with a sensitivity to caffeine may experience symptoms such as tremors, irritability, and difficulty sleeping. Patients who were receiving hydrocodone for chronic pain might experience worsening pain and withdrawal symptoms as a result of this substitution.

BACKGROUND: The recall includes the following products:

  • Butalbital, Acetaminophen, and Caffeine Tablets, USP, 50mg/325mg/40mg, NDC 0603-2544-28 500 count, Lot Numbers C0390909A, C0400909A, C0410909A, C0590909B
  • Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets, USP 7.5mg / 500mg, NDC 0603-3882-32, 1000 count, Lot Numbers C0390909A, C0400909A, C0410909A, C0590909B

These lots were distributed between November 13, 2009 and April 9, 2010 to wholesale and retail pharmacies nationwide (including Puerto Rico). Lot numbers can be found on the side of the manufacturer’s bottle. Tablet descriptions and photographs of tablets for these two products are provided in the firm's press release.

RECOMMENDATION: Qualitest is notifying all customers who may have received affected product and arranging for the return of any affected product. All patients who have filled prescriptions of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaninophen manufactured by Qualitest, are asked to double check the identity of their tablets.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

 

[06/24/2011 - Press Release - Qualitest Pharmaceuticals]

OTC pain and fever reducers (acetaminophen / NSAIDs)

Jan 22, 2004 | Audience: Pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, and consumersThe FDA notified healthcare professionals of a national education campaign to provide advice on the safe use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain and fever reducers that contain acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The campaign is intended to raise consumer awareness of these safety issues and to inform healthcare providers about the role that they can play in preventing acetaminophen induced hepatotoxicity and NSAID-related gastrointestinal bleeding and renal toxicity in patients using these medicines.

[January 22, 2004 Drug Information Page - FDA]
[January 22, 2004 Science Backgrounder - FDA]
[January 22, 2004 Letter to State Boards of Pharmacy - FDA]
[January 22, 2004 Press Release - FDA]

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