Health Highlights: Jan. 13, 2016

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Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Overdose Risk Prompts Children’s Cough Syrup Recall

Two flavors of over-the-counter children’s liquid cold medicine are being recalled across the United States because the dose cups that come with the medicine have incorrect markings and could lead to overdosing.

The grape and cherry-flavored products were made by Perrigo Company, but are sold nationwide under a number of brand names, WCVB TV in Boston reported.

The store brand names and lot numbers of the recalled five batches are:

GUAIFENESIN GRAPE LIQ 4 OZ:

• H.E.B – Lot No. 5LK0592 Expiration date 08/2017
• CVS – Lot No. 5MK0340 Expiration date 08/2017

GUAIFENESIN DM CHRY LIQ 4 OZ:

• Sunmark – Lot No. 5LK0528, 5LK0630, Expiration date 03/2017
• Rite-Aid – Lot No. 5LK0528, 5LK0630, Expiration date 03/2017
• Topcare – Lot No. 5LK0528, 5LK0630, 5LK0779, Expiration date 03/2017
• Kroger – Lot No. 5LK0528, 5LK0630, Expiration date 03/2017
• GoodSense – Lot No. 5LK0528, Expiration date 03/2017
• Dollar General – Lot No. 5LK0630, Expiration date 03/2017
• Care One – Lot No. 5LK0630, Expiration date 03/2017
• CVS – Lot No. 5LK0630, Expiration date 03/2017

An overdose of these products may cause hyper excitability, rapid eye movements, changes in muscle reflexes, ataxia, dystonia, hallucinations, stupor, coma, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, irregular heartbeat, seizures, respiratory depression, and death, according to Perrigo.

However, the company said use of the mislabeled dose cups is unlikely to cause serious problems, and added that it has not received any reports of overdoses linked to the recalled products, WCVB News reported. Perrigo advised consumers to throw away the product if the batch numbers match.

For more information, consumers can call Perrigo toll free, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST, at 1-888-345-0479, or visit mucusreliefrecall.com.

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FDA Commissioner Nominee Faces Roadblocks

President Barack Obama’s nominee to lead the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was approved Tuesday by a Senate committee, but may still face roadblocks.

Dr. Robert Califf, a cardiologist and medical researcher at Duke University for more than 30 years, is currently the No. 2 official at the FDA.

The Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approved Califf’s nomination. But, Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski warned she would hold up a vote on the Senate floor until she receives FDA reassurance that genetically modified salmon will be labeled, the Associated Press reported.

Genetically modified salmon approved by the FDA last year could harm her state’s wild salmon industry, Murkowski said.

Califf’s nomination also is opposed by Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont. He has said the FDA needs a commissioner who will stand up to the drug industry and that Califf is “not that person,” the AP reported.

Sanders, who did not attend the committee meeting, is considering a hold on Califf’s nomination, the news service said.

Currently, the acting head of the FDA is its chief scientist, Dr. Stephen Ostroff. Former head Dr. Margaret Hamburg stepped down last year.

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