The two products are intended for the relief of different symptoms and contain different active ingredients. Maalox Total Relief is an upset stomach reliever and anti-diarrheal medication, while traditional Maalox liquid products Maalox Advanced Regular Strength and Maalox Advanced Maximum Strength are antacids.
FDA said that the maker of Maalox brand products has agreed to change the name of Maalox Total Relief to one that does not include the word ‘Maalox’ and will change the drug’s packaging to avoid further confusion.
The renamed product is expected to begin selling in September 2010. Until that time, FDA is advising consumers and healthcare professionals to carefully check the labels of all Maalox products to ensure the appropriate product is being selected for the patient’s symptoms.
Carol Holquist, director of division of medication error prevention and analysis at FDA, said: “Maalox Total Relief and Maalox are not interchangeable and shouldn’t be used in place of each other. Consumer confusion and incorrect product use due to name confusion are serious public health issues. We appreciate Novartis’ efforts to work collaboratively with FDA and their decision to remedy this situation to avoid any confusion over Maalox products in the future.
“The FDA is concerned about the public health impact of medication mix-ups for products that have the same names or portions of the same name, but contain different active ingredients. We want companies to consider the potential for name confusion when choosing names for their drugs.”