Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

sl8

(16,245 posts)
Fri Oct 9, 2020, 09:35 AM Oct 2020

A diabetes drug has been recalled because it contains high levels of cancer-causing agent

https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/09/health/fda-recall-diabetes-medication-metformin-cancer-trnd/index.html

A diabetes drug has been recalled because it contains high levels of cancer-causing agent

By Scottie Andrew, CNN
Updated 9:45 AM ET, Fri October 9, 2020

(CNN) A widely-used diabetes drug has been recalled after manufacturers found it contained unacceptably high levels of a cancer-causing contaminant.

Indian pharmaceutical company Marksans Pharma Limited is recalling metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets because their levels of NDMA, a "probable human carcinogen," were higher than the acceptable daily intake limit of 96 nanograms per day, according to a recall published this week by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Metformin tablets are used to treat type 2 diabetes and are designed to lower glucose levels.
The recall applies to metformin tablets between 500 mg and 750 mg, sold under the brand name Time-Cap Labs, Inc.

[...]

4 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
A diabetes drug has been recalled because it contains high levels of cancer-causing agent (Original Post) sl8 Oct 2020 OP
My body hated Metformin. I'm glad I refused to take it after a few months. In_The_Wind Oct 2020 #1
This keeps happening with lots of common drugs and NDMA. I was on one BP med, and they Squinch Oct 2020 #2
I was on that this summer JohnnyRingo Oct 2020 #3
I don't trust generics at all crimycarny Oct 2020 #4

Squinch

(52,786 posts)
2. This keeps happening with lots of common drugs and NDMA. I was on one BP med, and they
Fri Oct 9, 2020, 10:02 AM
Oct 2020

pulled it because there was NDMA showing up in the manufacturing process. Went on another one, and the same thing happened.

JohnnyRingo

(19,320 posts)
3. I was on that this summer
Fri Oct 9, 2020, 10:04 AM
Oct 2020

Fortunately, I got better and stopped.

Thanx for posting, now I know better than to let them give it to me again.

crimycarny

(1,627 posts)
4. I don't trust generics at all
Fri Oct 9, 2020, 10:50 AM
Oct 2020

I had never thought twice about generic versus brand name when generics came on the market. I assumed generics were monitored by the FDA for quality control. Then I was switched to a generic version of a medication I had been taking for years and started having all sorts of issues. Was switched back to brand name and was fine. Started doing research and was horrified to learn FDA does almost ZERO oversight on overseas drug manufacturers. I refuse anything but brand name (which costs me a fortune.)

However, recently an online pharmacy started up—Valisure—which tests every batch of generics they sell. Was started by a graduate of Yale who had epilepsy and had several break-thru seizures after being switched to generic brand. He decided to start his own company to do quality checks since the FDA wasn’t. Valisure was in the news for finding NDMA in Zantac. Unfortunately they don’t/can’t sell controlled drugs like ambien, Xanax, etc.

Here is a book exposing the generic drug industry based on a whistleblower from inside a very large manufacturer out of India: Ranbaxy. Very detailed account of how the company destroyed documents, how they used inferior compounds, as well as doctor’s account of patients who had major issues on generics.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/05/12/722216512/bottle-of-lies-exposes-the-dark-side-of-the-generic-drug-boom

(I should note that I HAVE still used some generics. When I’ve gotten antibiotics for example. They are easier to manufacture and have been on the market forever. That being said, next time I’m using Valisure)

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Health»A diabetes drug has been ...