FDA: Diabetes Medication Recall Due To Cancer Concerns, What Is Metformin? – Forbes

Metformin is a medication commonly used to control high blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes. … [+] Here a woman checks here blood sugar levels with a glucometer. (Photo: Getty)

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Similar problem. Different medication.

Metformin is the latest medication to be recalled due to concerns about a contaminant that may cause cancer. This time the contaminant is NDMA, which doesn’t stand for North Dakota-Massachusetts but instead is short for N-nitrosodimethylamine. Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc., is recalling lots of their Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 750 mg. In this case, lots means 33 lots to be exact, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Viona distributed these lots but Cadila Healthcare Limited, a company based in Ahmedabad, India, manufactured these lots for Viona.

Metformin may sound like what you would say after meeting former professional boxer George Foreman. But it is a medication commonly used to control high blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes. Metformin basically gets your liver to stop producing sugar and releasing it into your blood. It also reduces the amount of sugar absorbed through your gastrointestinal tract and helps your cells respond better to insulin.

Controlling your blood sugar is clearly an important thing to do. In this case, there is such a thing as being too sweet. Too high blood sugar levels can end up damaging your kidneys, blood vessels, and nerves, which in turn can lead to a host of problems including organ failure and blindness. And just in case you aren’t fazed by such problems, keep in mind (or perhaps keep in pants) that abnormally high blood sugar levels can affect your sexual functioning as well.

Therefore, if you happen to be taking metformin, don’t just stop the medication and run away from the bottles while flapping your arms. Doing so could wreak havoc on your blood sugar. First, double-check that your metformin is indeed the one that’s being recalled. This recall does not affect all types and brands of metformin from all manufacturers. If you’re not sure where your metformin came from, contact your pharmacist or your doctor. If you somehow got your metformin without going through a real doctor or real pharmacist, go to the bathroom, look in the mirror, raise your right hand, put a small pie in that hand, slap yourself in the face, and “shame on you,” in your best Samuel Jackson voice. Never take a prescription medication without first getting a real prescription from a real doctor. Similarly, don’t discontinue metformin or change the dose before consulting with your doctor.

Also, beware of where you may be getting your metformin. Price, availability, and …….

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2021/12/30/fda-diabetes-medication-recall-due-to-cancer-concerns-what-is-metformin/