If You Take This Common Medication, Call Your Doctor Now, FDA Warns

THERE'S A NEW RECALL ON THIS MEDICATION, WHICH COULD CONTAIN A DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE.

Many Americans take regular daily medications without much thought. But a new drug recall of a common medication requires that you take a closer look at your medicine cabinet, just in case something you're taking could be affected. If it is, you'll need to reach out to a doctor immediately to determine next steps. Read on to learn which medication has been recalled, and what to do if you have it at home.

RELATED:If You Use This Medication, Stop Immediately, FDA Says.

Viona Pharmaceuticals is recalling multiple lots of the type 2 diabetes drug metformin.
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The Cranford, New Jersey-based company Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc. is voluntarily recalling 33 different lots of its 750-milligram metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The reason for the recall is that the drugs could contain too much N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which is "classified as a probable human carcinogen," meaning it could cause cancer based on results from laboratory tests.

As a precautionary measure, the company is voluntarily recalling all the potentially affected batches with a valid shelf life. The drugs are manufactured by Cadila Healthcare Limited in Ahmedabad, India for distribution in the U.S.

RELATED: This Product Sold at Home Depot and Costco Has Been Recalled After a Death.

If you have the recalled metformin at home, don't stop taking it but do call your doctor.
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If you take this medication, check your lot number against the 33 lots listed along with the recall notice on the FDA website. If you have drugs from an impacted lot, you are not advised to stop taking it immediately because stopping abruptly could be dangerous. Instead, patients should continue taking their medication and contact your doctor for advice regarding alternative treatment.

Here's how to identify the recalled diabetes medication.
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The recalled product is used (along with diet and exercise) to improve blood glucose control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is packaged in bottles of 100 tablets. Each tablet is white to off-white in color, capsule-shaped, and uncoated, debossed with "Z" and "C" on one side, and "20" on the other side. The pills were distributed to retailers nationwide.

Fortunately, neither Viona Pharmaceuticals nor Cadila Healthcare have received any reports of adverse events related to the recall at this stage.

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And here's what to do if you have the recalled metformin at home.
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Viona Pharmaceuticals is currently notifying its customers of the recall by email and mail. It is arranging for return of all recalled medications to its recall processor at the following address:

Eversana Life Science Services
c/o Viona recall
ATTN: Returns Department
4580 S. Mendenhall Rd.
Memphis, TN 38141

If you have any questions about this recall, you can contact the recall processor Eversana Life Science Services by phone at 888-304-5022 (option 1) Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CST. But if you feel like you might have experienced any health issues related to taking this product, you should contact your physician or healthcare provider.

You can also report adverse reactions or quality problems to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, or by fax at 800-FDA-0178. And for more information on this drug, you can visit the agency's website.

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