Cough Medicine Recalled Over Contamination Fears

Two cough medicines are being recalled by the manufacturer over fears they could cause sepsis in vulnerable people.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a recall alert on Wednesday, January 24, warning of potential "microbial contamination" in several batches of Robitussin Honey CF Max Day and Robitussin Honey CF Max Nighttime. The product is a cough medicine commonly used for short-term relief from colds, hay fever, respiratory allergies and mild flu symptoms.

According to the FDA warning, microbial contamination can potentially result in "severe or life-threatening illness" fungemia, which can cause fungal sepsis, with immunocompromised people most at risk from becoming extremely ill. The government agency said those who are otherwise healthy are much less likely to develop a serious infection.

The recalled Robitussin Honey CF Max Day Adult cough syrups recalled are sold in 4oz and 8oz sizes. All of the Honey CF Max Nighttime Adult cough syrups being recalled are sold in an 8oz package. The product is produced by Haleon, a British healthcare company.

The 4oz packages recalled are identified by the lot number T10810, with an expiration date listed as October 31, 2025. The 8oz Honey CF Max Day Adult packages have lot numbers T08730 through T08733 and share the same expiration date of May 31, 2025. Lot number T10808 with an expiration date of September 30, 2025, is also being recalled.

Haleon has said it hadn't received any reports of illnesses related to consuming the product as of January 24. It's unclear at this time how the contamination occurred or how it was discovered. Newsweek has contacted Haleon via email for clarification.

Sepsis is a serious infection often referred to as blood poisoning. It is considered a medical emergency that "without timely treatment" can "rapidly lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Sepsis is more likely to occur in certain groups, including those aged over 65 and those under one, those who have recently visited hospital, and those with long-standing health conditions like diabetes, cancer and organ diseases, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include a high heart rate or weak pulse, shortness of breath, fever, confusion and sweating. The CDC stresses that anyone with symptoms of Sepsis should be urgently seen by a healthcare professional.

Anyone who has taken the medicine and experienced an adverse reaction is encouraged to report the incident to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax, the details of which can be found here.