Excedrin, Bufferin, NoDoz, Gas-X recalled

Some popular over-the-counter medications - Excedrin, NoDoz, Bufferin and Gas-X - are being recalled by the Swiss drug maker Novartis.

The concern is that products may contain pills from other products, or broken or chipped tablets. Although no "adverse events" had been reported, taking the wrong medicine "could potentially result in overdose, interaction with other medications . . . an allergic reaction, Novartis warned in its announcement Sunday.

For example, some people are allergic to aspirin, which is found in Bufferin and Excedrin products.

The possible mixing in of stronger pills would explain concerns about users getting higher doses than intended.

The company also announced the indefinite suspension of operations at its Lincoln, Neb., plant, for maintenance and upgrades.

The voluntary recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the federal Food and Drug Administration.

According to a Novartis website, www.novartisOTC.com, the following products are part of the recall:

Bufferin: All lots with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013, or earlier, including Extra Strength Tablets, Low Dose Tablets, and Regular Strength Tablets.

Excedrin: All lots, with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014 or earlier, of Extra Strength Caplets, Extra Strength Express Gel Caplets, Extra Strength Gel Caplets, Extra Strength Tablets, Back & Body Caplets, Sinus Headache Caplets, Migraine Caplets, Migraine Gel Tablets, Migraine Tablets, Menstrual Complete Express Gel Caplets, PM Caplets, PM Express Gel Caplets, PM Tablets, Tension Headache Caplets, Tension Headache Express Gel Caplets, and Tension Headache Gel Tablets.

NoDoz: All lots with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2014 or earlier.

Gas-X: All lots with expiration dates of Dec. 20, 2013.

One way to obtain a refund is to print, fill out and mail the form found here: http://bit.ly/yjxLjV. For more information about returns, consumers can call a company consumer hotline at 1-888-477-2403 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time.

To report a problem with these products to the FDA, go to www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

The FDA points out that its helping to publicize the recall does not constitute an endorsement of the products or the company.