FDA Temporarily Recalls Brand Name Arthritis Pain Reliever

According to a press release from the manufacturer, five lots of this over-the-counter pain medication were recalled in November due to an unusual odor resembling mold, mildew and mustiness and associated with nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea, with the latest recall precautionary.

Apparently, the abnormal smell with this pain reliever is the result of small amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole, which is believed to have originated from a breakdown of another chemical used to treat wooden pallets for transporting and storing packaging materials.

While the effects of 2,4,6-tribromoanisole have not been fully studied, they are not believed to be serious or anything more than temporary. It should be known that this recall applies to only Tylenol® Arthritis Pain 100’s, with the product expected to be reintroduced in January 2010 and more information available here.

Tylenol® Arthritis Pain is intended to provide temporary relief of minor pain from arthritis, muscle aches, backaches, headache, toothache, common colds, and premenstrual and menstrual cramps.

This non-prescription medication contains acetaminophen, an ingredient that works to relieve pain by switching off the perception of pain in the brain. Unlike aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), acetaminophen does not have anti-inflammatory effects, often making it an effective and popular medication for lower back pain.