Friday January 15, 2010, Johnson & Johnson issued a massive recall of several of their over the counter drugs because of consumer complaints of a mold like smell that was associated with nausea, vomitting, stomach pain and diarrhea.  The recall includes some batches of Regular and Extra Strength Tylenol, Eight-Hour Tylenol Arthritis, Tylenol PM, Motrin, Motrin IB, Children’s Motrin, Benedryl, Rolaids, Simply Sleep and St. Joseph’s Aspirin. This is the second such recall in less than a month because of the sickening smell. The exact number of bottles recalled is not known, however the products were sold in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates and Fiji.  The products are in both caplet and geltab form.

According to the press release from US Food and Drug Administration and McNeil Consumer Healthcare:

“Based on this investigation, McNeil Consumer Healthcare has determined that the reported uncharacteristic smell is caused by the presence of trace amounts of a chemical called 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA). This can result from the breakdown of a chemical that is sometimes applied to wood that is used to build wood pallets that transport and store product packaging materials. The health effects of this chemical have not been well studied but no serious events have been documented in the medical literature. ”

Consumers who purchased product from the lots included in this recall should stop using the product and contact McNeil Consumer Healthcare for instructions on a refund or replacement. For these instructions or information regarding how to return or dispose of the product, consumers should log on to the internet at www.mcneilproductrecall.com or call 1-888-222-6036 (Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, and Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time). Consumers who have medical concerns or questions should contact their healthcare provider. Any adverse reactions may also be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch Program by fax at 1-800-FDA-0178, by mail at MedWatch, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch website at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For a complete listing of all the TYLENOL lots included in the recall click HERE.

For the complete listing of all the MOTRIN lots included int the recall click HERE.

For the complete listing of all the BENEDRYL lots included in the recall click HERE.

For the complete  listing of all the ROLAIDS lots included in the recall click HERE.

For the  complete  listing of alL the SIMPLY SLEEP lots included in this recall click HERE.

For the complete listing of all the ST. JOSEPH’S ASPIRIN lots included in this recall click HERE.

After researching for this post I checked my own medicine cabinet to find two of the recalled items.  One of which I have given to my children.  I would recommend that everyone check their own homes  for any of these products just to be safe.