Although titanium dioxide is classified as a carcinogen, it is present in many medicines in France… But the quantities used are very small.
- Nearly 800 medicines contain titanium dioxide, a substance classified as carcinogenic and prohibited in food products. The latter is used to make tablets white and/or white.
- Patients taking drugs that are on the list should not stop their treatment but seek the advice of their doctor.
“Spasfon, Doliprane, Imodium… These drugs that contain titanium dioxide are among the most prescribed. This substance is also found in cosmetics, clothing, children’s games… Everywhere in fact”, reports Christelle Pangrazzi, the editor-in-chief of Kali magazine. In the second issue of this new magazinethe editorial staff warns of the dangers of titanium dioxide and publishes a list of 800 drugs which contain it and which are commonly prescribed.
Nanoparticles “50,000 times smaller than a hair”
Titanium dioxide is already banned in France in food products. Health authorities, such as the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses), believe that it could increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, when ingested, or lung, when inhaled. In medicines, manufacturers use it to make tablets white and/or shiny.
According to the investigation by Kali journalists, these nanoparticles would be “50,000 times smaller than a hair” and could therefore enter human cells and other living organisms. “We prohibit the use of this substance in food, because we recognize a health risk, but we continue to manufacture drugs that contain it”, emphasizes Christelle Pangrazzi. Nevertheless, the quantities present in the drugs are minute.
A substance present in 4,523 drugs
Despite its dangerousness, titanium dioxide is found in 4,523 drugs authorized on the market, all categories combined and for all age groups, even children. But, according to Kali magazine, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has not banned its use in pharmaceuticals for two reasons: it could create major drug shortages and, before finding an alternative to carbon dioxide titanium, “a transition period of 10 years or more” would be necessary.
Towards a change in the law?
“A draft regulation on food additives provides for the moment to maintain titanium dioxide on the list of additives authorized in medicinal products. The draft regulation provides for a review of the situation within three years […] Pending this three-year review, the pharmaceutical industry must now take action to accelerate the search for alternatives to replace titanium dioxide in drugs.said the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) in remarks relayed by Actu.fr.
.
