HEALTH

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — McNeil Consumer Healthcare on Tuesday initiated another recall at the retail level of one product lot (60,912 bottles) of Tylenol extra strength caplets in 225-count bottles because of a small number of odor reports, including a musty, moldy odor.

The uncharacteristic musty, moldy odor has been linked to the presence of trace amounts of a chemical known as 2,4,6-tribromoanisole (TBA).

The product lot number (ABA619) for the recalled product can be found on the side of the bottle label. The recalled product was manufactured in February 2009.

SAN DIEGO — Adding an investigational drug for Type 2 diabetes to the common generic drug metformin helped control blood sugar in patients who could not control their blood sugar with metformin alone, according to results of a late-stage clinical study.

HONOLULU — Smarticle Industries on Wednesday announced the launch of StingOut, a product designed to soothe the sting of the box jellyfish and the Portuguese man-of-war, which has been found in waters from Texas and Florida to the northeastern United States.

PARIS — A new study indicated that two insulin products made by French drug maker Sanofi lower blood-glucose levels to a greater extent than premixed insulin, and with improvements in quality of life and less hypoglycemia.

Sanofi announced results of the 60-week study, which compared regimens, including Lantus (insulin glargine [rDNA origin]) and Apidra (insulin glulisine [rDNA origin]).

SAN DIEGO — New data from a late-stage clinical trial of a recently approved drug for Type 2 diabetes show improved blood-sugar control in adults who take it with metformin or alone.

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly presented data from the study of Tradjenta (linagliptin) at the American Diabetes Association’s 71st Scientific Sessions in San Diego last weekend. The study showed reductions in blood sugar and weight, and a low incidence of abnormally low blood sugar, known as hypoglycemia.

The FDA approved Tradjenta as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes in May.

SAN DIEGO — A cobranded Type 2 diabetes treatment may help reduce blood-sugar levels among patients when combined with insulin (with or without metformin), according to a late-stage clinical trial.

AstraZeneca and Bristol-Myers Squibb said that when Onglyza (saxagliptin) in the 5-mg strength was combined with insulin (with or without metformin), patients saw significantly lower HbA1C levels by an average of about 0.73% by the end of the phase-3 trial, compared with a placebo-insulin (with or without metformin) combination.

CINCINNATI — Pepto-Bismol once again is sponsoring the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y.

As part of its sponsorship, the brand has tapped celebrity Nick Cannon to grill hot dogs for the contest and serve contestants Pepto-Bismol to keep them going, the brand said. What's more, Pepto-Bismol also is the official sponsor of the women's competition, marking the first time female contestants' talents will be showcased in a separate contest.

PARIS — An investigational Sanofi drug for diabetes works at least as well as a similar treatment already on the market, and results in less abnormally low blood sugar, according to late-stage clinical trial results presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 71st Scientific Sessions in San Diego this past weekend.