Rolaids
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Rolaids was a brand of antacid produced by McNeil Consumer Healthcare, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The brand was acquired from Pfizer Consumer Healthcare as part of a merger in 2006. It was invented by American chemist Irvine W. Grote in the late 1920s. The name is derived from their original packaging that came in a foil roll.[citation needed] As a result of multiple recalls, production was suspended by the manufacturer in 2010, and has never resumed.
Rolaids tablets came in many different flavors, including original peppermint, cherry, freshmint, fruit, tropical, punch, cool mint, berry and apple.
2010 recall
McNeil Consumer Healthcare voluntarily recalled Rolaids products in the Americas, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Fiji on January 15, 2010, in consultation with the FDA. The company initiated the recall following an investigation of consumer reports of an unusual moldy, musty, or mildew-like odor that, in a small number of cases, was associated with temporary and non-serious gastrointestinal events. These events included nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea. The Rolaids web site currently contains the following statement regarding product availability: "You may have noticed that ROLAIDS® products are not available at your local retailers. We are changing some of our manufacturing facilities where our products are made, a process that will take time to complete. We apologize for the inconvenience this may be causing you. Your health and comfort are important to us, and we assure you we are working hard to get ROLAIDS® product back on store shelves."[1]
Another recall was issued around December 9, 2010, caused by foreign objects that contained metal and wood particles.[2] The foreign materials were caused by a third party manufacturer during the production process.[2] Several people complained when they took the product; they also had vomiting, strange taste, tooth and gum injury.[2]
Advertising
Rolaids' best known commercial from the 1970s featured the famous tag line:
- "How do you spell relief?"
- "R-O-L-A-I-D-S"
In connection with the famous slogan, Rolaids sponsors the Major League Baseball award for top relief pitchers, called the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award. The award has been given yearly since 1976.
Rolaids softchews
Pfizer released a new version of Rolaids on April 6, 2006,[3] branded Extra Strength Rolaids Plus Gas Relief Softchews. The product was produced as an alternative for people averse to the chalky consistency of regular Rolaids. They were widely advertised in multiple media formats.
Rolaids Softchews were originally developed and test marketed, in Oklahoma City, under the brand name Remegel by Warner Lambert in 1984.
Medical information
The active ingredients are calcium carbonate (550 mg) and magnesium hydroxide (110 mg). The inactive ingredients are dextrose, flavoring, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, pregelatinized starch, and sucrose.
Minor side effects may include constipation or stomach cramps. Serious side effects include loss of appetite, vomiting, dizziness or headache.[4]
References
- ^ http://www.rolaids.com/product-suply
- ^ a b c "Frequently Asked Questions". 2010-12-09. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
- ^ http://www.pfizerch.com/inthenews.aspx [dead link]
- ^ "CALCIUM CARBONATE ANTACID - ORAL (Dicarbosil, Rolaids, Titralac, Tums) side effects, medical uses, and drug interactions". Medicinenet.com. Retrieved 2012-08-04.