A nationwide recall of one lot of the potent painkiller injection Hydromorphone has been issued because the syringe system may contain more of the drug than indicated on the label. Hydromorphone is an opioid pain medication that if overdosed can cause respiratory depression (or slowed or suspended breathing), low blood pressure, and reduced heart rate including circulatory collapse, all of which can cause death.

Potentially dangerous bacteria has been found in gel used in ultrasound transmission, according to a safety announcement issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A recall was issued on three lots of Other-Sonic Generic Ultrasound Transmission Gel, manufactured by Pharmaceutical Innovations Inc.

One lot of morphine sulfate injection made by Hospira, Inc., is being recalled because a customer reported finding two syringes containing more of the drug than stated on the label. Morphine is an opioid pain medication that if overdosed could have life-threatening consequences.

More birth control pills are being recalled due to packaging error that may leave women without adequate contraception and at risk for unintended pregnancy. The latest batch of pills are made by Glenmark Generics Inc. USA and involve seven lots of Norgestimate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets USP, 0.18 mg/0.035 mg, 0.215 mg/0.035 mg, 0.25 mg/0.035 mg. The recall comes five months after Qualitest Pharmaceuticals announced a massive recall of 1.4 million lots of birth control pills for a similar packaging error.

Bedford Laboratories is recalling three lots of the cancer treatment Cytarabine for Injection, USP, I Gram per Vial, because the vials may not be sterile. This risk was determined following a post-release investigation of the manufacturing area.

Approximately 574,000 bottles of infants Tylenol Oral Suspension, 1 Oz. Grape have been recalled due to complaints from consumers who reported difficulty using the Infants’ Tylenol SimpleMeasure dosing system. The system includes a dosing syringe, which the parent or caregiver inserts into a protective cover, or “flow restrictor,” at the top of the bottle to measure the proper dose. In some cases, the flow restrictor was pushed into the bottle when inserting the syringe.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning doctors and patients that counterfeit versions of the cancer drug Avastin (bevacizumab) have been found on the market and may have been purchased and used by some medical practices in the United States.

Renastart, a powdered medical food used for the dietary management of children and adults with pediatric renal disease, is being recalled because some lots may have been mislabeled and contain a different product. Renastart is made by Vitaflo USA, and was distributed throughout the United States.

One million packets of birth control pills are being recalled because of a manufacturing error that may cause a change in the daily regimen, thus putting women at risk for unintended pregnancy.