The Doleys Clinic News

Novartis has recalled some of its over-the-counter medications due to manufacturing problems that could lead to overdose, allergic reaction,  or adverse drug interactions.  Medications effected include Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin, Gas-X Prevention.

For more information, follow this link. 

BACKGROUND: This voluntary recall pertains to all lots of select bottle packaging configurations from retailers of Excedrin and Nodoz products (expiry dates of December 20, 2014 or earlier), and Bufferin and Gax-X Products (expiry dates of December 20, 2013 or earlier), in the United States.

RECOMMENDATION: All of the pills in the bottle should look the same. If patients find a pill that is different in shape, size, color, or markings, they should bring their medicine bottle to their pharmacist and not take any of those pills.

Consumers that have the product(s) being recalled should stop using them and contact the Novartis Consumer Relationship Center at 1-888-477-2403 (available Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time) for information on how to return the affected products.

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FDA is advising patients and healthcare professionals of a potential safety risk associated with certain opiate products manufactured for Endo Pharmaceuticals by Novartis Consumer Health. FDA’s inspection of the Novartis manufacturing facility found a packaging problem that may result in a pill, tablet or caplet getting mixed in with a different prescription. The risk of pills ending up in the wrong bottle is a rare event.

FDA is working with Novartis and Endo to resolve the packaging problem.  Meanwhile, to ensure patient safety and access to needed pain medicines, patients and healthcare professionals should follow the instructions in the links below to identify whether there is a wrong pill in a medication bottle.

All of the pills in the bottle should look the same.  If patients find a pill that is different in shape, size, color, or markings, they should bring their medicine bottle to their pharmacist and not take any of those pills. Patients who have questions should call their pharmacist, healthcare provider, or Endo Pharmaceuticals’ call center at 1-800-462-3636.

Please visit this link for more information about this alert. 

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We're happy to help you start 2012 off with a running start toward your health goals!  Sign up for our workshops that start in January.

Click on the icons at the left in the green bar to find our Ready to Quit Smoking and our Ready to Lose Weight flyers. 

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We've posted the schedule for our series of six Pain Management classes for the early part of 2012!  Please check out our "Class Schedule" tab through our menu bar at left.  Remember, patients of the clinic are expected to attend all six sessions as part of their comprehensive pain management program. 

It's so important to get the "nuts and bolts" of pain management.  We'll teach you:

• How to manage your medications safely and what to expect from medical pain management
• How pain works in the body and how to re-train your brain to enhance pain control
• To discover the tricks of improving sleep quality and quantity without powerful medications
• Ways to enhance your healthy stress management techniques
• How to change your thoughts and behaviors to combat pain-related depression, anxiety, and anger
• How to start your journey through the grief of a chronic illness and guide you toward pain acceptance

You don't have to be a patient at our clinic to benefit from the classes, though!  We welcome community members, professional colleagues, and family members to join us as we explore these vital topics that can apply to the management of most chronic health conditions and help us on path toward long-term wellness. 

Please call Dr. Cianfrini at (205) 982-3596 for more information on how to sign up for classes.  Hope to see you there.

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For Pain Awareness Month, the American Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) put out a fantastic series of video clips about pain basics (e.g., what is pain, various medication and non-medicine options for pain treatment).  Dr. Perry Fine is an expert in the field, a fantastic speaker, and a caring physician who does a great job explaining these issues in a helpful way.  We encourage patients, family members, and colleagues alike to take a few minutes and view these videos.  Visit this site for the full selection and enjoy learning about your pain management options.

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