Tylenol recall expanded to other OTC drugs

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The recall of Tylenol Arthritis Pain Caplets has expanded to some lots of Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Rolaids and St. Joseph's aspirin, U.S. officials said.

In consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, McNeil Consumer Healthcare, is voluntarily recalling certain lots of popular over-the-counter products in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates and Fiji.

The company initiated the recall after an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events including nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea, a statement by McNeil Consumer Healthcare said.

McNeil Consumer Healthcare has determined that the reported smell is caused by the presence of trace amounts of the chemical 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, which can result from the breakdown of a chemical that is sometimes applied to wood used to build wood pallets that transport and store product packaging materials.

The health effects of this chemical have not been well studied but no serious events have been documented in the medical literature, the statement said.

For information on how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should check the Web site mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. Consumers who have medical concerns or questions should contact their healthcare provider. Adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, or on the MedWatch Web site at fda.gov/medwatch.