All Rectal Catheters Recall: Do Not Use in Infants
Areazine synthesizes this MHRA medicine alert directly from MHRA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.
MHRA alerts against using any rectal catheters for gas and colic relief in infants, including for colic, gas-related discomfort or constipation.
What this MHRA medicine alert tells you, and what most readers miss
This notice was issued by MHRA on August 18, 2026 and geographically references United Kingdom. Its severity classification of "medium" signals how the issuing agency weighs the risk of harm if no action is taken - "critical" and "high" tier alerts typically carry direct consumer actions, while "medium" and "low" tend toward informational guidance or monitoring advisories. The category it belongs to - Medicine Alerts - determines the consumer-protection framework behind it, which shapes what remedies (refunds, replacements, repairs, or the recall itself) are available to affected consumers and which agency holds statutory responsibility for enforcement.
Most readers skim a notice like this, check whether they are personally affected, and move on. The more useful lens is to verify its scope, source, and timestamp, then compare related notices without assuming that one record proves a broader trend.
Areazine pairs this record with the original agency URL so you can check the primary source before acting. Its related labels are recall, product-safety, mhra, Medicine.
What Happened
The MHRA has issued a Medicine Alert (DSI/2026/008) advising against the use of rectal catheters in infants for the treatment of colic, gas-related discomfort or constipation.
Which Products Are Affected
All rectal catheters (gas and colic relievers). No specific brands, model numbers, quantities or distribution details are provided in the alert.
What You Should Do
Stop using these products immediately and dispose of any unused devices.
Why This Matters
The alert aims to prevent use of these devices in infants where they pose a moderate risk.
Source
MHRA Drug Device Alert - Updated 2026-08-18
Original source: MHRA Official Notice ↗
Related Medicine Alerts
All Medicine Alerts →Nationwide notices with similar length or severity timing 8
Two Areazine-derived peer sets for this MHRA medicine alert: nearest notices by body length and by same severity near the same agency date. Peers come from other categories so they are not the same-feed Related list above.
Similar body length
Nearest notices by article body length (841 characters here).
Similar severity timing
Same severity (medium) notices issued closest in time to August 18, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this MHRA medicine alert.