Ethex-brand morphine tablets are recalled

WASHINGTON, June 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced the voluntary recall of Ethex-brand morphine sulfate tablets because of a health risk.

The FDA said the Ethex Corp. of St. Louis recalled Lot No. 91762 of the 60-milligram extended release tablets after discovering a tablet with twice the appropriate thickness. Such oversized tablets might contain as much as two times the labeled level of active morphine sulfate, the company said.

The tablets -- imprinted with "60" on one side and an "E" on the reverse side -- were distributed April 16-27.

The company said many patients for whom the medication is prescribed are likely to be highly debilitated with reduced strength or energy and, as such, might be less likely to determine a tablet is overweight or oversized.

Customers with questions can contact the company at 800-321-1705.