Seattle/LocalHealthGuide

A batch of tablets of the painkiller hydromorphone made by the ETHEX corporation has been recalled because they may contain oversized pills containing more of the drug than they should.
“If someone were to take a higher than expected dose of Hydromorphone, the risk of adverse effects known to be associated with the drug may be [...]

Consumers should not purchase or take more than 25 weight-loss products that have been found to contain a variety of potentially dangerous drugs and chemicals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned today.
 
The tainted weight loss products are:

Fatloss Slimming
2 Day Diet     
3x Slimming Power

Japan Lingzhi  24 Hours Diet
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
3 Day Diet

7 Day Herbal Slim
8 [...]

The maker of the top-selling Airborne cough and cold supplements has agreed to stop claiming its products prevent or treat colds, sore throats and allergies and to pay $7 million to settle a lawsuit filed by 33 states and the District of Columbia.
In its complaint, Washington state alleged the company, Airborne Health, Inc., engaged “in [...]

Dr. Carolyn Clancy

Dr. Carolyn Clancy, director of the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, writes a regular advice column for consumers to help them navigate the health-care system. In this column, Dr Clancy talks about efforts to create guides to help patients decide which treatments are best for them. 

Guides Help Patients Find Their Best Treatment [...]

Washington state hospitals have failed to introduce infection control measures that could reduce the number of serious infections and deaths due to the antibiotic-resistant bacteria known as MRSA, (Multi-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), according to a series running in the Seattle Times this week.
Over the past decade the number of Washington hospital patients with MRSA infections has [...]

Burkholderi cepacia
An acne cream sold at Walmart, Kroger and Dollar General stores has been recalled because some samples have been found to be contaminated with bacteria.
The recall affects all lots of 1 ounce (28 g) tubes of 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cream with the following names:

DG Maximum Strength Acne Medicated Gel” (sold at Dollar General)
Kroger [...]

 
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns consumers to be on the alert for scammers who first entice consumers to purchase discounted drugs by wiring funds to the Dominican Republic and then call posing as FDA agents informing the consumer that they must wire a large fine to Dominican Republic to avoid legal action [...]

Johnson and Johnson—Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals has issued an urgent nationwide recall of its Infants’ Mylicon Gas Relief Dye Free Drops (Simethicone-Antigas) non-staining because some bottles may contain metal fragments.
Infants’ MYLICON® drops are sold over-the counter, in retail stores and pharmacies, as an anti-gas medicine to relieve the discomfort of infant gas frequently caused by air swallowing [...]

Five generic prescription drugs are being recalled because the tablets may be oversized, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The drugs are manufactured by ETHEX Corporation. 
The drugs being recalled are:

Propafenone HCl Tablets - 150 mg, 225 mg, and 300 mg
 
Isosorbide Mononitrate Extended Release Tablets - 30 mg and 60 mg
 
Morphine Sulfate Extended Release Tablets [...]

The maker of ReliOn insulin syringes is recalling one lot of its sterile, single-use, disposable, hypodermic syringes with permanently affixed needles due to possible mislabeling that may lead to patients receiving an overdose of as much as 2.5 times the intended dose, the U.S. Food and Drug Agency reports.
Here is the FDA alert:
FDA Reports Nationwide [...]