FDA to require NSAID manufacturers to revise labeling

ROCKVILLE, Md. The Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule Tuesday that requires manufacturers of over-the-counter pain relievers and fever reducers to revise their labeling to include warnings about potential safety risks, such as internal bleeding and liver damage, associated with the use of these drugs.

Products covered by the FDA action include acetaminophen, and a class of drugs known as the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and ketoprofen.

The revised labeling applies to all OTC pain relievers and fever reducers, including those that contain one of these ingredients in combination with such other ingredients, as cold medicines containing pain relievers or fever reducers.

“Acetaminophen and NSAIDs are commonly used drugs for both children and adults because they are effective in reducing fevers and relieving minor aches and pain, such as headaches and muscle aches, “ stated Charles Ganley, director of FDA’s Office of Nonprescription Drugs in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “However, the risks associated with their use need to be clearly identified on the label so that consumers taking these drugs are fully aware of the potential harm they can cause. It is important that they know how to take these medications safely to reduce their risk.”

Under the final rule, manufacturers must ensure that the active ingredients of these drugs are prominently displayed on the drug labels on both the packages and bottles. The labeling also must warn of the risks of stomach bleeding for NSAIDs and severe liver damage for acetaminophen.

The new rule requires all manufacturers to relabel their products by April 28, 2010.

However, many analgesic manufacturers are already in compliance with the new labeling rules, Barbara Kochanowski, VP regulatory affairs for the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, stated Tuesday.

“CHPA member companies voluntarily have begun implementing many of the label changes included in the final rule that will publish April 29, 2009, well ahead of the April 28, 2010, implementation deadline,” she said. “These label changes are designed to provide consumers with a greater understanding of some of the risks that could be associated with the misuse of these medications.”

An FDA Advisory Committee meeting will convene on June 29 and 30 to discuss further steps the FDA could take to reduce the risk of liver damage associated with acetaminophen overdoses.