Since impurities were discovered a little over a year ago in batches of drugs of the “sartans” class (antihypertensive drugs), investigations have been carried out on a worldwide level on other drugs. These investigations revealed the presence of nitrosamines (NDMA) in metformin-based drugs prescribed for the treatment of diabetes. The batches of medicinal products concerned are marketed outside the European Union, however the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) has requested the French batch verification.
Metformin: it is not necessary to interrupt treatment
The ANSM asked the laboratories to carry out analyzes on the drugs potentially concerned by the impurity because NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine) is a nitrosamine classified “probable carcinogenic to humans” by the WHO. But while waiting for the results, they recommend that people with diabetes do not stop their treatment. “The possible presence of NDMA in your medicine does not present an acute risk to your health. Interrupting your treatment could throw your diabetes out of balance and quickly cause hyperglycemia, which would manifest as a feeling of thirst, drowsiness and blurred vision.” explains the ANSM.
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