Monday, June 8, 2020

Diabetes medication recalled, probable human carcinogen warning

Marksans Pharma Limited Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg, Due to the Detection of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)

Summary

Company Announcement Date: June 02, 2020
FDA Publish Date: June 05, 2020
Product Type: Drugs
Reason for Announcement: Due to detection of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)
Company Name: Marksans Pharma Limited, India
Brand Name: Time-Cap Labs, Inc.
Product Description: Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg

Company Announcement
Marksans Pharma Limited, India is voluntarily recalling Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg, lot # XP9004, to the consumer level. FDA analysis has found the product to contain N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) levels in excess of the Acceptable Daily Intake Limit (ADI) of 96ng/day.
Risk Statement: NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. NDMA is a known environmental contaminant found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products and vegetables. Marksans Pharma Limited has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall to date.
Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and is packaged in 100 count bottles with NDC code 49483-623-01. The affected Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg, are white to off white, capsule shaped, biconvex tablets, debossed with '101' on one side and plain on the other side.
Product name: Metformin Hydrochloride Extended Release Tablets USP, 500 mg
Lot #: XP9004
Expiry Date (MM/YYYY): 12/2020
The product can be identified by lot # XP9004 and expiration date 12/2020. Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg, lot # XP9004 was distributed by Time-Cap Labs, Inc. (located at 7 Michael Avenue, Farmingdale, New York 11735) nationwide in the USA to wholesalers who further distributed to pharmacies.
Marksans Pharma Limited is notifying its distributors and customers by issuing notification letter and press release and is arranging for return/replacement etc. of recalled product lot. Distributors/retailers that have Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets, USP 500mg, lot # XP9004 which is being recalled should return to place of purchase.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall and return can contact Ms. Irene McGregor (Vice President, Regulatory Affairs) of Time-Cap Labs, Inc., located at 7 Michael Avenue, Farmingdale, New York 11735, by phone number 631-753-9090; ext. 160, [Monday to Friday 8am-5pm EST] or e-mail address imcgregor@timecaplabs.com.
Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this drug product.
Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.
  • Complete and submit the report Online
  • Regular Mail or Fax: Download form or call 1- 800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178 or call Time-Cap Labs, Inc. at 1-877-376-4271 or Fax at 631-753-2220
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Company Contact Information

Consumers:
Ms. Irene McGregor (Vice President, Regulatory Affairs) of Time-Cap Labs, Inc.
631-753-9090, ext. 160
imcgregor@timecaplabs.com
Media:
Dr. Meena Rani, (US Regulatory Agent and Corporate Vice President, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance)
631-833-9341
usagent@marksanspharma.com

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Alcohol — What Is It?

Alcohol — What Is It?


It’s the drug, “Ethanol,” the intoxicating ingredient of alcoholic beverages. Ethanol and alcohol are two different names for the same thing. There are other types of alcohol, but ethanol is the only one you can drink. Ethanol is what we put in our gas tanks to drive our cars. It is also used as a solvent, a powerful chemical that is used to dissolve other substances. What happens if you drink ethanol without diluting it? Painful tissue damage and irritation occur. Strong ethanol is extraordinarily harsh and will irritate and annoy soft tissues in your mouth, throat, esophagus, and stomach. Even small quantities will be extremely unpleasant and harmful. Can you survive it? Probably, but not without terrible and immediate consequences. Ethanol must be diluted. The “proof” of alcohol means that a 100-proof beverage is 50% ethanol and the rest water and some impurities leftover from the distilling process.
Winemakers ferment grapes or other products to produce ethanol. The grape skins give the wine color. Manufacturers of alcoholic beverages dilute their ethanol with water and put in flavors, scent, and coloring. When you pop the cork in champagne, yeasts ferment sugars and form carbon dioxide gas that produces bubbles. They give their beverages exotic names and they package them in beautiful, different shaped bottles with charming labels and elegant boxes. They spend billions in advertising to get you to use their products. What are they all selling? Ethanol. It’s what gives you the euphoric feeling of being high. That’s why you spend lots of money on their products. If you believe otherwise, take out the ethanol and see how much you will pay for the same product.
Used moderately, ethanol adds enjoyment to a meal, stimulates conversation, has a relaxing effect, and lowers inhibitions. Used to excess—it kills—eventually; and, it’s a nasty death. Our early ancestors probably began ingesting ethanol eighty million years ago when they ate rotting fruit that had started to ferment. We have been at it ever since. The difference is that now we know how to extract the ethanol and don’t need to eat the bugs and dirt our ancestors had to deal with.
The main problem with drinking alcoholic beverages is that ethanol lowers your “stop” mechanism, your ability to say, “No,” when you’ve had enough. Your good judgment is impaired, turning you into a person of poor judgement and a danger to yourself and anyone around you. You probably know through experience that alcohol lowers your inhibitions. You’ll do things and say things and make mistakes under the influence of alcohol that you wouldn’t while sober. In the same way that alcohol lowers your inhibitions, it reduces your ability to stop. That’s why many people drink to black-out.
Alcohol was never a problem for me other than the fact that I would sometimes get drunk and do stupid things, like flying a plane or driving a car while intoxicated. However, about twenty years ago, after Pax stopped drinking and drugging, I stopped out of respect for Pax. That was one of the best decisions of my life. I developed a clarity over the years that have been a significant enhancement in my life, and it put me in control of my actions, using my best judgment all the time. I encourage you to do the same. The rewards are better than you can imagine. Being sober is a natural part of life.
Chris Prentiss