Wellness

[Mindy D]

Nostrum Laboratories, Inc. Expands Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Metformin HCl Extended Release Tablets, USP 750 mg, Due to N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) Content Above the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) Limit

When a company announces a recall, market withdrawal, or safety alert, the FDA posts the company's announcement as a public service. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

Summary

Company Announcement Date: January 04, 2021 FDA Publish Date: January 04, 2021 Product Type: Drugs Reason for Announcement:

NDMA exceeds acceptable daily intake limit

Company Name: Nostrum Laboratories Brand Name:

Nostrum Laboratories

Product Description:

Metformin HCl Extended Release Tablets, USP 750 mg

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Company Announcement

Nostrum Laboratories, Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of Metformin HCl Extended Release Tablets, USP 750 mg (generic equivalent to Glucophage Tablets) to the consumer level. The Metformin HCl Extended Release Tablets, USP 750 mg (generic equivalent to Glucophage Tablets) have been found to contain levels of nitrosamine impurities above the ADI limit of 96 ng/day as published in the FDA Guidance Document issued September, 2020. This is an expansion of the recall initially announced on November 2, 2020.

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 and found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products, and vegetables. To date, Nostrum Laboratories, Inc. has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.

The product 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 HDPE bottles of 100 tablets, under NDC 29033-056-01. The affected Metformin HCl Extended Release Tablets, USP 750 mg (generic equivalent to Glucophage Tablets) lot is listed in the table below. The product can be identified as an off-white oblong tablet debossed with “NM7”. Metformin HCl Extended Release Tablets, USP 750 mg (generic equivalent to Glucophage Tablets) was distributed Nationwide to wholesalers.

Product Description NDC Lot Number Expiry Dates

Metformin HCl Extended Release Tablets, USP 750 mg (generic equivalent to Glucophage Tablets)

29033-056-01

MET200501

07/2022

Nostrum Laboratories, Inc. is notifying its distributors by letter and is arranging for return of all recalled products. Pharmacies that have Metformin HCl Extended Release Tablets, USP 750 mg (generic equivalent to Glucophage Tablets) which is being recalled should return to place of purchase. Consumers should consult a healthcare professional to obtain a replacement or a different treatment option. It could be dangerous for patients with type 2 diabetes to stop taking their metformin without first talking to their healthcare professional. Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking this drug product.

Consumers with medical questions regarding this recall can contact Nostrum Laboratories, Inc. Medical Affairs at phone number 816-308-4941 or email quality@nostrumpharma.com Monday through Friday from 8 am – 5 pm CST. Consumers should contact their physician or pharmacy for further medical advice.

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

This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Company Contact Information

Consumers: Nostrum Laboratories, Inc. Medical Affairs 816-308-4941 quality@nostrumpharma.com

• Content current as of:

  01/04/2021

[BirkiLady]

Good information. Check with your pharmacist if you have qualms, but most reputable pharmacies will remove this brand from their stock and supply their patients with another brand.

Periodically, my pharmacy will let me know a pill or tablet may look "a little different because we have had to change brands." When done so, I have never noticed a difference in a medicine ingested. 

ETA: Wonder why Metformin ER seems to have so many problems with their production?

[Mindy D]

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@BirkiLady wrote:

Good information. Check with your pharmacist if you have qualms, but most reputable pharmacies will remove this brand from their stock and supply their patients with another brand.

Periodically, my pharmacy will let me know a pill or tablet may look "a little different because we have had to change brands." When done so, I have never noticed a difference in a medicine ingested. 

ETA: Wonder why Metformin ER seems to have so many problems with their production?

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@BirkiLady Its due to contamination with a carcinogen, NDMA, which has been found in many other drugs, including some blood pressure medications and Zantac for tstomach problems. There have been scores of recalls in the past few years due to this contaminant. 

[BirkiLady]

@Mindy D  Thanks, Mindy D. I've read that, but find it ashtonishing that any production company would be so lax as to repeatedly have the same problems. Don't they have sterile production areas and an effective Quality Control line?

The patients taking Metformin ER (which I do) should be the company's highest priority. However, as we all know, the bottom line is: these continued problems must be costing the company and their stockholders huge losses. This is unacceptable for both point of view IMHO.