| | | | | Precautionary Suggestions |
| | | | | |
| Medication mistakes are the cause of over a | | | | The following are some precautionary measures |
| million serious injuries and deaths each year in the | | | | that manufacturers and pharmacists can take to |
| United States. The FDA is constantly working in | | | | avoid consumer confusion. |
| cooperation with drug manufacturers and health | | | | |
| care professionals to improve the quality of | | | | Manufacturers should consider differentiating the |
| standards used in preparing and supplying | | | | packaging of Maalox products to avoid confusion. |
| medications. | | | | Different colored caps do not provide a significant |
| | | | | method of distinguishing one product from |
| Maalox is a brand name that encompasses | | | | another. The other details of the bottling are |
| several different types of stomach medications. | | | | identical in each brand in terms of color, size and |
| These include: | | | | shape. Warnings on the labels, although present, |
| | | | | are not prominent and can easily be overlooked |
| · Maalox Total Stomach Relief | | | | by consumers. |
| · Maalox Antacid Barrier | | | | |
| · Maalox Regular | | | | Pharmacists should refer to the product by its full |
| · Maalox Max | | | | name. Use shelf talkers or other visual aids to |
| | | | | distinguish the new formulation of Maalox Total |
| The difference in these products is the newest | | | | Stomach Relief (which contains the bismuth |
| form, which is Maalox Total Stomach Relief, | | | | subsalicylate) from other Maalox products. |
| contains bismuth subsalicylate as an active | | | | |
| ingredient. To be exact, each tablespoon contains | | | | As a consumer, it is important that you carefully |
| 525 milligrams of this agent. | | | | read all labels thoroughly before purchasing or |
| | | | | using any product. If you are unsure of a product |
| The Dangers | | | | or its safety, contact a health professional or |
| | | | | pharmacist before consuming the product. |
| The importance of this difference is that | | | | |
| salicylates can have a major impact on the safety | | | | MedWatch is a program developed by the FDA |
| of the patient depending on his or her health | | | | (Food and Drug Administration) for the reporting |
| status. Products containing bismuth subsalicylate | | | | of serious drug reactions, problems with product |
| potentially have drug-to-drug and drug-to-disease | | | | quality, product use errors and product failure. |
| interactions. Bismuth subsalicylate can interact | | | | This program was developed to prevent more |
| with: | | | | medication mistakes and promote consumer |
| | | | | safety. |
| · Anticoagulants | | | | |
| · Hypoglycemic agents | | | | Your health care provider is not required to report |
| · Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | | | | to the FDA. If you wish to report a product, but |
| · Anti-inflammatories | | | | do not want your health care provider involved, |
| | | | | you are entitled to fill out the online reporting |
| Bismuth salicylates can also complicate existing | | | | form via the internet. You will receive an |
| medical problems such as: | | | | acknowledgement of your report, but will only be |
| | | | | contacted if further information is required. |
| · Gout | | | | |
| · Stomach ulcers | | | | Medication mistakes are responsible for an |
| · Kidney disease | | | | alarming amount of injuries and deaths in the |
| · Bleeding problems | | | | United States. |
| | | | | |
