OTC brand name product extensions continue to cause confusion

March 2007

OTC brand name product extensions continue to cause confusion...and possible patient harm.

A pharmacist suggested "Maalox" for an upset stomach. But the patient got Maalox Total Stomach Relief...not knowing the new formulation contained bismuth subsalicylate.

The patient then had black stools. He was on aspirin and a low-molecular-weight heparin so there was concern about a possible GI bleed...until they figured out it was the bismuth subsalicylate causing the black stools.

Get concise, unbiased advice for effective drug therapy, plus CE/CME

Prescriber's Letter includes:

12 issues every year, with brief articles about new meds and guidelines
48+ CE courses, including the popular CE-in-the-Letter
Quick reference drug comparison charts
Access to the entire archive

Subscribe Today!

Already a subscriber? Log in

Volume pricing available. Get a quote

eRx Now, the new free e-prescribing system
Infectious Diseases recommendations for treating community-acquired pneumonia in adults
Women's Health whether the newer low-dose, combination oral contraceptive pills are less effective
Supplements People are being told to take MORE vitamin D and LESS calcium
Cardiology Coreg CR, a new extended-release carvedilol
Cardiology new antihypertensive called Tekturna, the first direct renin inhibitor
Gastroenterology Lialda (lee-AL-duh) is the first ONCE-daily oral mesalamine for ulcerative colitis
Gastroenterology both a proton pump inhibitor PLUS an H2-blocker for GERD
Pediatrics news reports of bowel obstruction in infants vaccinated with RotaTeq
OTC Products Alli (AL-eye), the OTC version of orlistat just approved for weight loss in adults
OTC Products OTC brand name product extensions continue to cause confusion
Kidney Disease minimize the risk of nephropathy due to the contrast dyes used for diagnostic tests
if their MEDS can cause weight gain

OTC brand name product extensions continue to cause confusion

Get concise, unbiased advice for effective drug therapy, plus CE/CME

Table of Contents