Health Highlights: May 2, 2014

Health Highlights: May 2, 2014

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by the editors of HealthDay:

Generic Anti-Allergy Drugs Recalled

Nearly 30,000 packets of generic anti-allergy medicines are being recalled in the United States by Indian drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd.

The recalled allergy relief and nasal decongestant products were made by Ranbaxy’s U.S. subsidiary Ohm Laboratories Inc., the Wall Street Journal reported.

The recall was launched after defects were found in blister packaging for the Loratadine and Pseudoephedrine Sulphate Extended Release Tablets.

They were sold at drugs stores in California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Texas, WSJ reported.

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New Sleep Apnea Device Approved by FDA

A new device to treat obstructive sleep apnea has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The pacemaker-like unit is the first of its kind and stimulates a specific nerve in order to prevent tongue and throat muscles from relaxing too much during sleep and blocking airways, the Associated Press reported.

The device, made by Inspire Medical Systems, offers an alternative for sleep apnea patients who have trouble using continuous positive airway pressure machines, which keep airways open by pumping air through a mask that’s worn while sleeping.

Left untreated, sleep apnea increases a person’s risk of accidents, heart attack and stroke, the AP reported.