HHP Medication Safety Watch: October 2024

This list contains selected items from the full FDA list of recalls, withdrawals, and alerts for medicines and certain health products. We've provided links to FDA information for each product and its maker. Unless otherwise noted, these actions apply only to the specific brand name of the product listed. Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping or changing any medicines or treatments that they have recommended for you.

• Over-the-counter products and medicines
• Prescription medicines

Over-the-counter products and medicines

Dietary supplement recalled due to contamination with three drugs

• AK Forte, 400 mg tablets (maker: C&A Naturistics)

Comment: All lots of this product were recalled by its maker after FDA testing found contamination with diclofenac, dexamethasone, and methocarbamol. Diclofenac is an anti-inflammatory medicine in the same family as ibuprofen. Its side effects include stomach upset, stomach ulcers, and kidney injury. Dexamethasone is a steroid medicine that can cause serious side effects, including increased blood sugar and blood pressure and reduced ability to fight infections. Methocarbamol is a muscle relaxant that may cause sedation, low blood pressure, and dizziness.

AK Forte is sold as a treatment for joint pain.

Skin spray warning due to contamination with steroids

• Skin-Cap aerosol spray products (distributor: Chemigroup France)

Comment: The FDA warns people not to use any Skin-Cap aerosol spray product after testing revealed contamination with a high-potency steroid.

Long-term use of topical steroids may cause significant side effects, including thinning skin, higher blood pressure and blood sugar, weakening of bones (osteoporosis), and reduced adrenal gland function.

People using this product should ask their doctor about the best course of action. Abruptly stopping steroids is not safe and can cause significant side effects, including fatigue, muscle weakness, low blood sugar, and low blood pressure.

This product is sold as a treatment for psoriasis, seborrhea, eczema, and other skin conditions.

Prescription medicines

Duloxetine recalled due to cancer-causing contaminant

• Duloxetine (Cymbalta), 20 mg delayed-release capsules (maker: maker: Towa Pharmaceutical; distributor: Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, Inc.)

Comment: The makers of this medicine have recalled more than 7,000 bottles after testing revealed higher than allowed levels of a nitrosamine, called N-nitroso duloxetine. While nitrosamines are found at low levels in water and foods, exposure to higher than acceptable levels over time may increase cancer risk.

Duloxetine is prescribed for depression, anxiety, and certain conditions causing chronic pain.

Read additional issues of HHP Medication Safety Watch