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Pfizer recalls anti-smoking drug

FDA Chantix Warning
Posted at 8:57 PM, Sep 17, 2021
and last updated 2021-09-17 20:57:10-04

Pfizer is voluntarily recalling all lots of Chantix 0.5 mg and 1 mg tablets.

The Food and Drug Administration says the pills have the presence of Nitrosamine at or above its acceptable intake limit.

“Long-term ingestion of N-nitroso-varenicline may be associated with a theoretical potential increased cancer risk in humans, but there is no immediate risk to patients taking this medication,” the FDA said in a statement on its website.

Chantix is a treatment to help people quit smoking.

The FDA says patients can continue to take their current medication until their provider offers a replacement.

“The health benefits of stopping smoking outweigh the cancer risk from the nitrosamine impurity in varenicline,” the FDA said.