NDMA is a toxic compound that doesn’t deserve to be anywhere near the world of medicine.
Unfortunately, it was found in three well-known meds used for blood pressure management, that is, irbesartan, valsartan, and losartan back in 2018.
This is why the FDA released an alert and wrote a letter of complaint to the supplier of raw materials to Big Pharma companies.
Unfortunately, the meds follow a production pattern in India with raw ingredients acquired from China and then sold in the US for high prices.
NMDA Caused a Recall of this Frequently Used Medication
Due to a recent NDMA contamination, there was a nationwide recall of Zantac, a heartburn medication, and all of its generic varieties.
They later recalled the drug used for the treatment and prevention of type 2 diabetes and PCOS, that is, metformin due to NDMA contamination.
Metformin today is sold under various names, including Riomet, Fortamet, Glucophage, and Glumetza. It was approved by the FDA in 1994.
Several medication manufacturers sell the generic varieties of this drug in the US.
Life-Threatening even in Small Amounts?
Once upon a time, NDMA was used to produce rocket fuel.
But, after tests done with animals showed that exposure to it elevates the chances of cancer, this chemical is currently only used for research purposes.
Scientists use it to provoke cancer in rodents in oncology-related studies. The amount which is “acceptable” by the FDA is 96 nanograms. Taking in anything that exceeds 0.001 mg per day may be toxic to humans.
Unfortunately, it’s considered to be one of the most powerful carcinogens in the world. The human liver produces an enzyme that transforms NDMA into methyl-diazonium which leads to 06-methyl guanine.
Both of them make changes in the methylation process on a cellular level and this contributes to cancer.
Even one pill of valsartan that’s contaminated with this chemical has as much as 0.020 mg of NDMA. This is almost 20 times higher than the safe-to-consume levels.
People worldwide take these medications on a regular basis, usually on a daily basis.
Despite this valuable data, the FDA didn’t cease the drug’s distribution. Rather, they proposed to patients to keep up with their prescriptions until they get a suitable replacement from their pharmacist or until their doctor prescribes another medication.
An Analysis Reveals: US Patients Took NDMA-Contaminated Valsartan Pills for Six Years?
In an analysis, it was found that US patients have been taking valsartan pills containing NDMA for six years. According to European health regulators, one in 3,390 individuals may get cancer from taking these meds.
Lawyers have received a long list of claims from patients who took valsartan between 2015 and 2018 and developed liver, stomach, colon, esophagus, kidney, and small intestine cancer.
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