Ethex Corporation announced Friday that they are expanding their nationwide morphine tablet recall which was first issued on June 10. While they initially indicated that only one lot of their Morphine Sulfate Extended Release Tablets were exposed to manufacturing problems that could have caused double strength tablets to be commercially released, they have now added 64 more lots of the medication to the recall.
The 60 mg and 30 mg extended release morphine sulfate tablets were sold under the “ETHEX” label. They were distributed throughout the United States between June 2006 and May 2008. The 60mg morphine is a white oval tablet with a “60” printed on one side and an “E” on the other. The 30mg morphine is a pink oval tablet with a “30” on one side and an “E” on the reverse.
The morphine recall was first issued after it was discovered that oversized tablets may have been sold. The tablets could contain up to twice the appropriate amount of active morphine sulfate, which may lead to a morphine overdose, with potentially fatal consequences.
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Learn MoreThe following lots of Ethex Morphine Sulfate Extended Release Tablets are now included in the recall:
Morphine Sulfate ER 30mg Tablet – NDC # 58177-320-04: Lot numbers 75090, 77846, 77847, 80048, 83320, 89661, 89665, 90252 through 90258, and 93284.
Morphine Sulfate ER 60mg Tablet – NDC # 58177-330-04: Lot numbers 91762, 75091, 75092, 77848 through 77851, 82517, 82518, 83333, 83817, 83862, 84111, 84112, 84315, 84900, 85326, 85335, 85807, 86270 through 86276, 87723, 87939, 88007, 89083, 89668, 89669, 89821, 90260 through 90272, and 91763 through 91765.
Individuals who have received a prescription for Ethex Morphine Sulfate since June 2006 should check their medication to determine if it is part of this recall. If symptoms of a morphine overdose are experienced, such as respiratory depression (difficulty or lack of breathing), low blood pressure, apnea or hypotension, immediate medical attention should be sought.
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18 Comments
VirginiaNovember 16, 2009 at 2:31 am
TO BELIEVE THAT MEDICATION WILL HELP YOU AND NOT TO DESTROY YOUR LOVED ONES!! WHAT SHOULD OF MADE MY DAD COMFORTABLE IN ENDING DAYS OF CANCER, CAUSED HIM AN OVERDOSE OF MORPHINE 60 MG , THAT HAD TO BE FLUSHED OUT , HE HAD NO CHANCE TO SURVIVE FOR HE WAS ALREADY WEAK , HE WAS TAKEN 1 MINUTE TOO SOON FROM US, MY HEART GOES OUT TO ANYONE THAT IS WALKING THIS NIGHTMARE,WE KNOW WHO THE MONSTERS ARE !!![Show More]TO BELIEVE THAT MEDICATION WILL HELP YOU AND NOT TO DESTROY YOUR LOVED ONES!! WHAT SHOULD OF MADE MY DAD COMFORTABLE IN ENDING DAYS OF CANCER, CAUSED HIM AN OVERDOSE OF MORPHINE 60 MG , THAT HAD TO BE FLUSHED OUT , HE HAD NO CHANCE TO SURVIVE FOR HE WAS ALREADY WEAK , HE WAS TAKEN 1 MINUTE TOO SOON FROM US, MY HEART GOES OUT TO ANYONE THAT IS WALKING THIS NIGHTMARE,WE KNOW WHO THE MONSTERS ARE !!!!
KimFebruary 20, 2009 at 11:20 pm
MY SISTER WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM US DUE TO THIS DRUG....PLEASE DON'T TAKE THIS DRUG AND IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE THAT THIS HAS CAUSED HARM TO...PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW ! SHE DIED JUNE 6, 2008..TOO YOUNG TO DIE !
VickyJanuary 16, 2009 at 7:58 pm
My mother had IPF(idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). They gave us the Morphine Sulfate tablets to give to her on Friday October 24h and she died on Sunday, October 26th. We knew my mother was very ill but no way on earth did we dream she would go that quick. We know in our hearts that the morphine tablets were the cause of her going that quick. We got the letter about the recall 2 weeks after mom pas[Show More]My mother had IPF(idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis). They gave us the Morphine Sulfate tablets to give to her on Friday October 24h and she died on Sunday, October 26th. We knew my mother was very ill but no way on earth did we dream she would go that quick. We know in our hearts that the morphine tablets were the cause of her going that quick. We got the letter about the recall 2 weeks after mom passed away. My children are so lost without their granny. She had just turned 74 yrs old in August.
MichaelJanuary 3, 2009 at 12:12 am
My fiance and I have both received recall notices from both pharmacy and ethex. On both MSER and MSIR. Ethex offedred 5k to settle out of court. We rescinded the iroffer ans hired an atty.
Ethex Hydromorphone Recall: Latest in Series of Drugs Sold With Oversized Tablets : AboutLawsuits.comDecember 29, 2008 at 3:15 pm
[...] started with one lot of Ethex Sulfate 60mg Extended Release tablets. A few days later, Ethex expanded their Morphine recall to add 64 more lots of 30mg and 60mg Morphine Sulfate ER [...]
Class Action Lawsuit Following Ethex Recall of Morphine and Other Drugs : AboutLawsuits.comDecember 3, 2008 at 4:03 pm
[...] On June 10, 2008, one lot of 60 mg Morphine Sulfate Extended Release tablets were recalled when it was found that some of the pills sold since April 2008 were of double thickness and contained twice the appropriate amount of morphine. This could have led to a fatal morphine overdose. On June 16, 2008, another 64 lots were added to this morphine recall. [...]
mariaDecember 2, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I was taking 15 and 30 mg morphine after back surgery. When my husband was unable to rouse me, I was transported by ambulance to the hospital where I was revived with oxygen after a period of several hours. Dont know if this qualifies as damages, but i sure didnt like it much!I
MonicaDecember 1, 2008 at 8:46 pm
My mother almost died from the morphine she was prescribed 60mg and 15 mg Thanksgiving Day she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure and the doctor said they did not understand what happened since my mother had no problems with her heart or breathing until taking this and i will do everything in my power to make these manufactures pay for deminishing her quality of life.
TribalklangDecember 1, 2008 at 9:33 am
I've been on Seroquel for Bi polar disorder for about 5 months now, and I have to say, things have gotten better and better for me. Actually, first off when taking it, I was constantly hungry, especially for sweets and milk, and I slept wayyy too much. I talked to my doctor about this because it was annoying, and she lowered my dosage and prescribed me Lexapro to take each morning. Everything has [Show More]I've been on Seroquel for Bi polar disorder for about 5 months now, and I have to say, things have gotten better and better for me. Actually, first off when taking it, I was constantly hungry, especially for sweets and milk, and I slept wayyy too much. I talked to my doctor about this because it was annoying, and she lowered my dosage and prescribed me Lexapro to take each morning. Everything has balanced out now, no more insane hunger urges or daylong sleepfests. I feel like a normal person finally . Some of the research Ive done since states that seroquel is best prescribed along with a secondary drug to stabilize a person. Had any of you talked to your doctors about taking a second drug? good luck to all, and best of health!
BruceNovember 29, 2008 at 4:44 pm
My wife stareted taking the Morphine pills 2-8-2008 (Friday) and died 2-10-2008 (Sunday).I am left to raise our eleven year old daughter alone. It is not just about my pain and loss but my little girls fears and terrors and sleepless nights and crying drive my up the wall with anger for this company. If they only knew the pain and suffering they have caused. She still has nightmaers watching her [Show More]My wife stareted taking the Morphine pills 2-8-2008 (Friday) and died 2-10-2008 (Sunday).I am left to raise our eleven year old daughter alone. It is not just about my pain and loss but my little girls fears and terrors and sleepless nights and crying drive my up the wall with anger for this company. If they only knew the pain and suffering they have caused. She still has nightmaers watching her mother die in our home. Shame on you, shame on you for the pain you have caused us.
MickeyNovember 25, 2008 at 10:01 pm
My husband died suddenly after being on morphine for several months from a spider bite. In my heart i know that he went into respiratory and cardiac arrest.. Ethex corporation should be held liable for all the deaths and injuries sustained for not controlling the manufacturing and distributing fo their product.
SheilaNovember 18, 2008 at 9:40 pm
I almost died from taking one pill of the morphine. Called an ambulance and the whole nine yards.
PatriciaNovember 12, 2008 at 5:37 am
My father just a little over 60 working, cutting grass and taking long motorcycle rides with friends the Month of Apri and first part of May...starting taking morphine prescribed to him for pain due to cancer that he went in for status tests on May 12th for...his test came back as "no change in size" etc..I have the results in writing from May 12th...he started having trouble breathing, he was hav[Show More]My father just a little over 60 working, cutting grass and taking long motorcycle rides with friends the Month of Apri and first part of May...starting taking morphine prescribed to him for pain due to cancer that he went in for status tests on May 12th for...his test came back as "no change in size" etc..I have the results in writing from May 12th...he started having trouble breathing, he was having trouble talking, walking, swallowing...we didn't know what was happening..he died at home on May 16th...It all became very clear after we received a letter asking us to return the morphine pills prescribed. A precious part of our lives was taken from us way too soon. Yes he had cancer but if it hadn't been for the pills.....we would have had more time with him. It is very obvious the pills took his life ...It's murder no matter how you look at it.
DianaOctober 29, 2008 at 9:06 pm
My mom died unexpectedly at the age of 59. She recieved the affected lot numbers of morphine. The recall letter came 7 weeks after her death. We threw out the medicine before the recall letter came. I know in my heart that the morphine did it, but I can't prove it.
donna and frankOctober 24, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I was on vacation in pittsburg PA (from florida) ran out of my pain medication (for bone cancer). Had to go to a hospital to get a refill because you can't get a refill over state lines . The hospital gave me a prescription for mophine. Three days later I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance for a mophine overdose. Then in June we get a letter from the drug store in Pittsburgh about the moph[Show More]I was on vacation in pittsburg PA (from florida) ran out of my pain medication (for bone cancer). Had to go to a hospital to get a refill because you can't get a refill over state lines . The hospital gave me a prescription for mophine. Three days later I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance for a mophine overdose. Then in June we get a letter from the drug store in Pittsburgh about the mophine overside tablets.
Ethex Dextroamphetamine Sulfate Recall: Oversized Tablets : AboutLawsuits.comOctober 16, 2008 at 3:31 pm
[...] drug after it was discovered that some tablets could be oversized. This is the second major Ethex recall this year due to manufacturing defects that resulted in double strength tablets, as they previously [...]
JoanOctober 13, 2008 at 7:06 am
i received a call from my pharmacist telling me NOT to take my morphine pills, as they were identified as one of the lots that were overdosed. But it was too late, I was already hospitalized for what they thought was a morphine reaction or accidental overdose. It was horrible, I was never so ill. I had hypoxia, which is low oxygen to the brain. I don't even remember a few days of the hospital[Show More]i received a call from my pharmacist telling me NOT to take my morphine pills, as they were identified as one of the lots that were overdosed. But it was too late, I was already hospitalized for what they thought was a morphine reaction or accidental overdose. It was horrible, I was never so ill. I had hypoxia, which is low oxygen to the brain. I don't even remember a few days of the hospitalization. I had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance because I guess I was totally incoherent. I was in the hospital several days and then was very sick at home for about 10 days afterwards.
BrianOctober 2, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I was in the hospital several times from morphine overdose. I didnt realize at the time what was causing my monthly trips to the E.R. This company needs to be held accountable!