New here

[Anne K]

Hi I'm new here and I have type 2 diabetes. I take Metformin but have just learned that this could cause cancer, has anyone else heard of this?

 

[Inka]

Hi @Anne K 🙂

No, I haven’t heard that but I’m Type 1 and I don’t take Metformin. It’s often a little quieter here at the weekend but I’m sure some knowledgable Type 2s will be along soon.

Welcome to the forum 🙂

 

[Anne K]

Thankyou I hope so before I contact my doctor.

 

[Vonny]

Hi @Anne K and welcome to the forum from another type 2 🙂 I am also on Metformin and have never heard that it can cause cancer. I once read somewhere that it may cause dementia, but equally I've read somewhere else that it actually helps prevent it! There are so many theories about what is bad for you and what isn't, that it's hard to know what's true. Look at the NHS: always promoting low fat, but in reality it's low carb which helps lose weight and maintain good blood sugar levels, as I've discovered since being diagnosed with type 2.

Metformin is a widely used drug which has been through all the clinical trials and has been around for years. I certainly don't worry about being on it. It's helped me to lose weight and get my Hba1c down from 76 to 37.

Best wishes

 

[Inka]

I found this for you @Anne K

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about_us/news/metformin-medicines

A quick Google suggests that some Metformin products are alleged to have a small amount of a potentially cancer-causing substance above the safe level.

 

[ianf0ster]

I don't think that there is a problem with the brands of Metformin available in the UK.
Just that in the past there was a problem with some of the extended release ones in the USA - now fixed.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

Hello @Anne K

I also haven’t heard of any association between Metformin and cancer in the UK. Can you remember where you heard the information?

Metformin has been widely offered as a first-line medication for T2 in the UK for a long time. The well known sode effects are gastric upheaval (often short lived in most people) and cautions over use in anyone with kidney disease - but I think they are generally considered to be a very safe option.

 

[Anne K]

Hello @Anne K

I also haven’t heard of any association between Metformin and cancer in the UK. Can you remember where you heard the information?

Metformin has been widely offered as a first-line medication for T2 in the UK for a long time. The well known sode effects are gastric upheaval (often short lived in most people) and cautions over use in anyone with kidney disease - but I think they are generally considered to be a very safe option.

 

[Anne K]

It was yesterday Saturday 10th October that I heard about possible problems with Metformin and it was a notification I saw on my phone but as another member said it was mostly in the USA and has now been fixed so I will carry on taking it.

 

[grovesy]

It was yesterday Saturday 10th October that I heard about possible problems with Metformin and it was a notification I saw on my phone but as another member said it was mostly in the USA and has now been fixed so I will carry on taking it.

Where was the notification from as the problem in the link @Inka posted was dated last year?

 

[Bruce Stephens]

Where was the notification from as the problem in the link @Inka posted was dated last year?

Here's a story updated 9 October 2020:

A diabetes drug has been recalled because it contains high levels of cancer-causing agent | CNN

Indian pharmaceutical company Marksans Pharma Limited is recalling Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets because its levels of NDMA, a "probable human carcinogen," were higher than the acceptable daily intake limit, according to an FDA recall.

edition.cnn.com

 

[grovesy]

Thanks so still US based i have have many differnt brands of Metformin Slow /Extended release over the years i have never had capsules.

 

[ScotsLass]

I’ve just read about it in the New York Post. The slow release type Metformin has been recalled due to the fact it could cause cancer..I was shocked as I’m sure we import this drug do we not?..

 

[Bruce Stephens]

The slow release type Metformin has been recalled due to the fact it could cause cancer..I was shocked as I’m sure we import this drug do we not?

As far as I understand it one particular brand of it has been recalled. I don't think there's any general recall and I presume if there were and if it applied to those in the UK then we'd have heard of it.