Cincinnati Enquirer: 'Don't panic.' Anti-diabetes medication recalled, may contain high levels of cancer-causing compound

Two pharmaceutical companies issued voluntary recalls Monday for metformin, an anti-diabetes drug, due to high levels of a cancer-causing compound, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes, according to Mayo Clinic, and is distributed under the following brand names: Fortamet, Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza and Riomet.

The Cincinnati Enquirer spoke with Dr. Shailendra Patel, a professor and director of the UC Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and UC Health physician, about the recall. He offered a message for patients who use metformin: do not quite the drug cold turkey.

"Don't panic," Patel told the Enquirer. "Just have a nice discussion with your provider. And make sure that if the medication's the only thing that's controlling your disease, don't stop it. Just go in and ask and say, 'what are my alternatives?' "

Read the full story in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Learn more about Dr. Shailendra Patel.

Featured photo of blood sugar management device and generic medication courtesy of Unsplash.