Confusion between Maalox Brand Products May Lead to Serious Medical Errors
Recently, the FDA notified consumers and healthcare professionals about reports of serious medical errors where patients had mistakenly used Maalox Total Relief, when they intended to use a Maalox liquid antacid. Both products are available without a prescription, but are not interchangeable. Consumers were confusing traditional Maalox with Maalox Total Relief, an anti-diarrhea medication that contains strong drug ingredients which may cause internal bleeding. Traditional Maalox uses a gentler formula which helps neutralize stomach acid. Due to the confusion, Novartis, the manufacturer of Maalox, has agreed to change the name and packaging of the potent medication Maalox Total Relief.
The FDA has announced that children and teenagers recovering from illness should not take the higher-strength Maalox. The higher-strength Maalox can also negatively interact with certain medications, such as oral antidiabetic drugs, anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, and the blood thinners warfarin and Plavix.