Archives by Tag 'FDA'

New York Times Slams FDA for Failure to Act on Look-Alike Tubes Used in Hospitals

An article in the New York Times illustrates the dangerous consequences of mistakes involving look-alike tubing in medical applications and faults the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s lax oversight of these medical devices. Much of the clear plastic tubing used in hospitals for intravenous IV lines, feeding tubes, oxygen delivery and a wide range of [...]

380 Million Eggs Recalled Nationwide, How to Keep Your Family Safe from Salmonella in Eggs

Hundreds of salmonella infection cases have prompted a nationwide recall of eggs and reminded us of some basic food safety rules. After a four-fold increase in cases of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) infections since May 2010, a joint investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Department of [...]

Study Shows #1 Selling ED Supplement Causes Potentially Fatal Changes in Heartbeat

Researchers have found that men who take Enzyte, a popular dietary supplement sold for male enhancement, are placing themselves at risk for dangerous and potentially fatal heart arrhythmia. For the study, researchers performed an electrocardiogram (EKG) at one, three and five hours after administering healthy young men either a placebo or Enzyte. Results showed that [...]

Clinical Trials Funded by Pharmaceutical Industry more likely to Report Positive Results

A study of clinical drug trials found that those funded by the pharmaceutical industry were more likely to report positive outcomes than were trials funded by other sources. Researchers examined 546 clinical drug trials conducted between 2000 and 2006 listed in the registry at www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Their analysis showed that industry funded trials reported a favorable [...]

Inadvertent Contact with Evamist Menopause Spray Dangerous to Children and Pets, FDA Warns

Children and pets inadvertently exposed to Evamist spray, a treatment for hot flashes during women’s menopause, are at risk of developing hormone related side effects, said the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in an agency advisory. Evamist is a transdermal spray containing estradiol, an estrogen hormone, applied daily by menopausal women to the forearm [...]

Doctors across U.S. implanting Unapproved IUDs and Placing Patients Health at Risk

A nationwide problem of medical practitioners implanting unapproved intrauterine devices (IUDs) has prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a warning to consumers to notify them of the risks of such devices and the ongoing problem. An intrauterine device, or IUD, is a medical device implanted in the uterus as a long-term [...]

Study Links Zinc Cold Remedies to Loss of Smell

A new study has linked the use of nasal remedies containing zinc gluconate with the loss of the sense of smell. Zinc gluconate is a dietary supplement marketed as a homeopathic remedy to shorten the duration of the common cold. Study authors Terence M. Davidson, MD and Wendy M. Smith, MD, of the University of [...]

Those Using Illegal Circle Lenses to Get “Lady Gaga” Eyes are Placing Their Vision at Risk

Contact lenses called circle lenses are becoming popular in the United States, especially with teenagers and young adults, but can damage eyes and cause blindness. Circle lenses have been in the news a lot recently since musical artist Lady Gaga released her music video “Bad Romance” that portrayed the artist with huge eyes generated by [...]

Popular NSAID Pain Relievers Increase Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke

A new study has found that healthy people who take certain NSAID (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) pain relievers may increase their risk of heart attack and stroke. People commonly use NSAIDs, especially OTC formulations, to reduce fever and relieve pain caused by conditions such as arthritis, headache, toothache, back pain, muscle pain, menstrual cramps or minor [...]

Kellogg’s Recalling 28 Million Boxes of Cereal for Sickening Odor and Flavor

Kellogg Company announced today that the company is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to voluntarily recall certain breakfast cereals due to an uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell coming from the liner in the package that has reportedly made some consumers ill. Affected by the recall are Kellogg’s Apple Jacks, Corn Pops, Froot [...]