CVS is pulling tens of thousands of medicated hemorrhoidal wipes from shelves after federal safety officials warned that the product’s packaging is not child-resistant, creating a serious poisoning risk for young children. A national recall posted July 2 covers roughly 75,000 boxes sold at CVS stores and online between April 2020 and April 2026. Customers are being told to stash any unopened packs out of kids’ reach and bring them back to CVS for a full refund.
Recall details
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall covers CVS Health Medicated Hemorrhoidal Wipes sold in boxes of 20 individually wrapped, flushable packets that feature the CVS logo and the phrase “Rapid Pain Relief.” The wipes contain lidocaine, which under federal rules must be packaged in child-resistant containers because swallowing even a small amount can cause severe illness or death in young children. The recall is listed as number 26-593 and involves about 75,315 units, according to the agency notice.
Manufacturer and distribution
Diamond Wipes International, based in Chino, California, manufactured and packaged the CVS-branded wipes and operates production facilities in both California and Wisconsin. The company’s site lists its Chino headquarters along with a customer-service phone line for questions. Regulators and the manufacturer say the product was sold at CVS locations nationwide and online from April 2020 through April 2026 for about 16 dollars per box.
What shoppers should do
Consumers who purchased the wipes can bring unopened packets along with the original retail box to any CVS store and receive a full refund, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The agency lists CVS customer-service details, including the helpline at 800-746-7287 and an online recalls page, for anyone who needs more information. Local outlets have already picked up the story, including FOX 32 Chicago.
Why packaging matters
Federal law requires certain drugs and hazardous household products to use child-resistant packaging in order to cut down on accidental poisonings among young children. That standard comes from the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, which lays out the rules for “special packaging” and gives regulators the power to require child-resistant containers, as summarized by Cornell Law School. Companies that sell products with active ingredients that could harm kids are responsible for making sure their packaging complies.
What to do if a child was exposed
If a child swallows any part of the wipes or develops symptoms such as drowsiness, trouble breathing, vomiting, or seizures, call Poison Help immediately at 1-800-222-1222 and seek emergency medical care. Keep the product box and any remaining wipes with you so clinicians or poison-control specialists can see exactly what was involved.
