The FDA has issued warnings to major retailers including Target and Walmart for failing to remove recalled ByHeart infant formula linked to at least 51 cases of infant botulism, emphasizing the importance of proper recall procedures to prevent further health risks.
The FDA has expanded a recall of 16 cinnamon brands due to elevated lead levels, which can cause health and neurological issues, especially in children. Consumers are advised to check their cinnamon products before holiday baking, stop using affected items, and dispose of them. No illnesses have been reported yet, but lead exposure can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, and behavioral changes.
Parents in North Texas are concerned following an FDA warning about a possible link between Tylenol (acetaminophen) and autism, prompting calls for further research and caution during pregnancy, amid mixed reactions from advocacy groups and officials.
A cat in San Francisco was euthanized after contracting bird flu from contaminated raw cat food containing H5N1, marking the first such case since spring. The FDA confirmed the presence of the virus in the food and the cat, with genetic analysis linking the cases to a common source. Despite multiple human bird flu cases in the U.S., there is little public oversight or tracking of animal cases now, amid controversial opinions on disease management from officials like Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Novo Nordisk has filed over 130 lawsuits across 40 states to combat illegal marketing and sale of unsafe, non-FDA-approved compounded semaglutide products, which pose serious health risks due to illicit ingredients and misleading claims. The company is actively working to protect patients through legal action, education campaigns, and advocating for stricter enforcement against counterfeit and unapproved drugs.
Sarepta Therapeutics reported a third patient death due to acute liver failure after receiving its gene therapy, adding to recent fatalities of two teenage boys, which has led to stock decline and increased regulatory scrutiny, including a warning label from the FDA.
Sarepta Therapeutics announced a major restructuring, cutting over a third of its workforce and maintaining its gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy despite patient deaths and FDA warnings about liver failure risks, with the company focusing on safety measures and cost savings.
The FDA has issued a warning about tianeptine, a substance sold as a dietary supplement but known as 'gas station heroin' due to its opioid-like effects and potential for overdose and dependence, despite not being approved in the US. It is often sold online and in shops, with reports of addiction, withdrawal, and overdose cases, raising concerns about its unregulated use and detection challenges.
The FDA has expanded warnings on Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines about a rare risk of myocarditis, especially in young males aged 12-24, with a rate of 8 cases per million doses in individuals aged 6 months to 64 years, amid ongoing debates over vaccine safety and policy.
The article discusses the dangers of tianeptine, often sold as 'gas station heroin,' a substance unapproved by the FDA that can be addictive and cause serious health risks. Despite being illegal to sell as a supplement in the U.S., it is widely available in various products, leading to a rise in poison control calls and health emergencies. Some states have enacted laws to restrict its use, which has helped reduce related incidents.
Health experts warn about 'gas station heroin,' brightly colored bottles sold at gas stations containing tianeptine, an unapproved and potentially addictive drug that can cause serious side effects, with emergency calls related to its use rising significantly in the U.S.
A person experienced severe knee pain after taking OTC allergy medication levocetirizine, which resolved upon discontinuation, highlighting a rare side effect and the importance of awareness about medication reactions.
A national survey found that over 11% of high school seniors have used delta-8 THC, a psychoactive compound derived from hemp and often marketed as "diet weed" or "weed lite." Concerns arise due to the lack of regulation and oversight, with products being sold as edibles or vapes in many states. Health officials warn of potential adverse effects, particularly among teens who may not understand dosing and timing, leading to over-ingestion and hospitalization. The FDA has issued a warning about the risks of delta-8 THC, and as of January 2023, it has been banned in 15 states and regulated in eight others.
Talia Smith, a 44-year-old mother, was left wheelchair-bound and unable to care for her disabled veteran husband after suffering a rare reaction to the antibiotic Cipro, prescribed for a UTI. Despite FDA warnings about serious adverse effects, she was not informed of the risks by her doctor. Smith is now advocating for better warnings on fluoroquinolones and for doctors to be held responsible, as well as seeking insurance coverage for treatment for those harmed by these antibiotics.
Talia Smith's life changed dramatically after taking the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin for a UTI, leaving her with severe and rare side effects that have rendered her unable to walk and reliant on round-the-clock care. Smith is now advocating for greater awareness of the risks associated with fluoroquinolone antibiotics and pushing for changes in medical prescribing practices to prevent others from experiencing similar hardships.