Pfizer recalls anti-smoking drug due to high levels of ingredient tied increased risk of cancer

The Hill ^ | 09/17/21 09:28 PM EDT | BY JORDAN WILLIAMS

[RandFan]

Pfizer recalled its anti-smoking drug Chantix due to high levels of an ingredient that is tied to an increased risk of cancer.

In a notice posted to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) website on Thursday, Pfizer said it was recalling Chantix 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets to the consumer level due to the presence of N-nitroso-varenicline.

Long term ingestion of N-nitroso-varenicline can be associated with a “theoretical potential increased cancer risk in humans,” the notice said. However, there is no immediate risk to patients taking the drug.

The company said it is undertaking the recall as a precautionary measure, adding that the benefits of stopping smoking “outweigh the theoretical potential cancer risk from the nitrosamine impurity."

The company is recalling all lots of the drug that were distributed to wholesalers and distributors in the U.S., US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico from May 2019 to September.

In a Friday update, the FDA said patients should continue taking their medicine until their pharmacists provides a replacement or their doctors prescribe a different treatment.

N-nitroso-varenicline is a nitrosamine, which are common in water and foods.

Everyone is exposed to nitrosamines at some level. However, they may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed above a certain limit.

Pfizer previously recalled 12 lots of Chantix in July due to the presence of N-nitroso-varenicline. Last month, it recalled four additional lots due to the impurity.

[RandFan]

So their anti-smoking drug is linked to increase risk of cancer?

My word.

Does their COVID "vaccine" work? From what I've seen it's waning....

[Steve_Seattle]

So here we have another example of a drug withdrawn from the market because a possible harmful effect is noticed. This is the third or fourth instance of this sort of thing that I’ve heard about just in the past year or so. But it’s forbidden to suggest there may be anything wrong with the Covid vaccines.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Pfizer recalled its anti-smoking drug Chantix due to high levels of an ingredient that is tied to an increased risk of cancer.

Is the increased risk of cancer from using Chantix higher than the increased risk of cancer from smoking?

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

They shouldn’t publicize this because now Emperor Biden will mandate it.

[Old Yeller]

Zantac (rantinidine) taken off market because of cancer. I hate these bastards.

[Java4Jay]

Made in China ?

[NWFree]

Another cure that kills people …..

[farming pharmer]

Made in China ?

Or India.

I don't know if it's an unavoidable side product of synthesis or just sloppy manufacturing in the turd-world countries that now manufacture our drugs.

[Vendome]

[Steve_Seattle]

"Zantac (rantinidine) taken off market because of cancer. I hate these bastards."

Yep, that's one of the ones I was thinking about. It's one that I had taken in the past.

[caseinpoint]

One trend in society today is the belief in magic. Not the Hogwart’s type but belief that there are perfect solutions to problems, be it pharmaceuticals, economic measures, environmental measures, social measures, etc. We have lost the common sense truth that everything involves tradeoffs, not perfect solutions. The issue is balancing the benefits versus the costs of everything.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

And have you noticed the crusade against vaping? I saw a commercial on TV recently. It looked like it was a dark ad against opiates. In fact it was an anti-vaping ad! The irony is that vaping has helped hundreds of thousands kick the cigarette habit. Now the government is full throttle against vaping!

Chantix causes cancer? It has helped scores of people stop smoking. No good deed goes unpunished by the government.

[Bonemaker]

I don’t know but I’ve been offered that shit over the years but I always said no thanks I enjoy pipes and cigars more than a pill!😎

[Aut Pax Aut Bellum]

I don't know if it's an unavoidable side product of synthesis or just sloppy manufacturing in the turd-world countries that now manufacture our drugs.
I'd go with "sloppy".

[Pollard]

and it always takes years before they recognize the downsides which is why vaccines usually take years to develop.

[Bonemaker]

“It has helped scores of people stop smoking. No good deed goes unpunished by the government.”

So has vaping but as soon as the government figured out people enjoyed it they started trying to squelch it.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Trust $cience‼️

[Steve_Seattle]

"And it always takes years before they recognize the downsides which is why vaccines usually take years to develop."

And some of the vaccine critics predicted adverse effects (cell damage, blood clotting, etc.) that won't show up until one to five years after vaccination.

[cgbg]

The sociopath .gov official has a very simple goal:

Everything is either mandatory or banned.

[newmomster]

this drug was FDA approved in 2006.

Fifteen years ago.

glad they were on top of it.