Metformin diabetes drugs may be contaminated with high levels of a cancer-causing chemical called NDMA, according to recent tests by the FDA and independent experts.
Metformin Class Action Filed in California
In June 2020, a man from California filed a class action lawsuit after he bought NDMA-tainted metformin from Express Scripts. He was not diagnosed with cancer. Instead, he filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for everyone who purchased metformin that was contaminated with NDMA. Click here to read more.
Metformin Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Ascend Laboratories
A man from New York has filed a metformin class action lawsuit seeking compensation from Ascend Laboratories. He claims metformin was contaminated with the cancer-causing chemical impurity NDMA (N-nitrosodimethylamine).
The lawsuit is seeking financial compensation for everyone who took NDMA-contaminated metformin. However, it is not designed to maximize payouts for people who actually developed cancer.
The metformin class action lawsuit (PDF) was filed on April 15, 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey — Case Number 2:20-cv-04329.
Metformin Class Action Filed Against Granules
In March 2020, a woman from New Jersey filed a metformin class action lawsuit against Granules USA Inc. and Granules Pharmaceuticals., for selling generic metformin that was contaminated with NDMA. — Case Number 2:20-cv-02556-BRM-JAD
FDA Finds High Levels of NDMA in Metformin
In May 2020, after months of testing, the FDA contacted several drug-makers due to “unacceptable” levels of NDMA in extended-release metformin, according to Bloomberg. Around 21 million people take extended-release metformin to control diabetes.
Are Metformin Lawsuits Next?
The findings may result in recalls — and potentially, lawsuits from people who developed cancer after taking metformin with NDMA.
N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a cancer-causing chemical impurity that has been found in many medications, including Zantac® and valsartan. NDMA is particularly concerning in a drug like metformin, because patients take metformin every day for years. Over time, exposure to high levels of NDMA could result in deadly cancer.
Why Did the FDA Reverse Course?
The FDA warnings about NDMA in metformin is also a major reversal. In February 2020, the agency said that tests on metformin did not find dangerous levels of NDMA.
Those findings were quickly challenged by Valisure, an online pharmacy that found NDMA in several blood pressure drugs. Those tests set off dozens of recalls and a flood of lawsuits.
Pharmacy Demands Recalls AFter Tests Find Dangerous Levels of NDMA in Metformin
In March 2020, Valisure demanded metformin recalls after their own tests found high levels of NDMA in 16 batches of metformin from 11 drug-makers. Several batches had over 10-times the FDA’s acceptable limit of NDMA in medications (96 nanograms per day). One batch of metformin made by Amneal Pharmaceuticas had 16.5-times the limit.
List of Cancers Linked to NDMA
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colon cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Bladder cancer
- And more
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