Health Sciences Authority has recalled MEIJUMET Prolonged Release 750mg tablets, a brand of metformin medicine for diabetes.
Other brands of metformin medicines prescribed by SingHealth institutions are not affected.
Three metformin products have been found to contain trace amounts of a nitrosamine impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which are above the internationally acceptable level.
The potential risk of nitrosamines is associated with long-term use.
Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has tested all the metformin products in Singapore, and found that besides these three products, none of the other 43 metformin products contain NDMA above the acceptable level.
As such, there are adequate alternate metformin products (same strength and release profile) available. As a precautionary measure, HSA is conducting a consumer level recall of the three metformin products.
For more information on the recall, please refer to HSA website here.
You are affected if you are taking Meijumet Prolonged Release 750mg tablets. We will contact you via SMS or phone call. Other brands of metformin medicines prescribed by SingHealth institutions are not affected.
If you are unsure whether you are taking Meijumet, you can check for the name of the medicine on the foil packaging of your tablets (on the back) or the medicine label on the container/bag that was given by the doctor/pharmacist.
There is no immediate safety risk with taking the medicine. Please continue taking your medicines until you have come to our pharmacy to make an exchange.
If you are affected but we are unable to contact you via SMS/phone call, we will contact you by other means.
If you are taking Meijumet Prolonged Release 750mg tablets, please continue taking as it is needed to control your diabetes and unsafe to stop.
There is no immediate health risk.
Please bring your Meijumet tablets to exchange it for another brand at your PHARMACY in Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) or National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) within the next 3 months.
Health Sciences Authority (HSA) is conducting a consumer level recall of Meijumet Prolonged Release 750mg tablets as a precautionary measure. Please refer to HSA website here.
Meijumet Prolonged Release 750mg tablets have been found to contain trace amounts of a nitrosamine impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which are above the internationally acceptable level.
There are adequate alternate metformin products (same strength and release profile) available.
Please do not change your medicines on your own.
Not all medicines used for treating Diabetes are the same, some may not be suitable for patients with certain medical conditions. Taking the wrong medicine that is not suitable for you can cause more harm.
We advise you to come to exchange it for another brand at your PHARMACY in Singapore General Hospital (SGH), Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) or National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) within the next 3 months.
If your next medical appointment is within the next 3 months, you may wish to do the exchange at the same time as your doctor consultation.
You do not need to see a doctor to exchange your MEIJUMET PR 750mg tablets to another medicine. Please go directly to our pharmacy for an exchange.
If you have any concerns, you may email us at: check@singhealth.com.sg with your contact details (Name, I/C number, Contact Number, Institution) so we can help you, or you may call us at 6326 5800.
There is no charge to exchange your existing Meijumet medicine to another brand.
Please bring your existing Meijumet PR 750mg tablets to our pharmacy within the next 3 months for an exchange.
It is important that you bring your existing Meijumet PR 750mg tablets to our pharmacy when you come for an exchange, so that we can verify that we are issuing the correct medicine to the right person.
Please go back to your GP who prescribed it. As this is a nationwide recall, all GPs have been briefed.
You may be receiving this SMS as your number is listed as a caregiver / alternate contact to your family member. Please check accordingly with them.
If you/ your family members (who you are caregiver for), are not taking Meijumet Prolonged Release 750mg tablets, it would appear to be an error. We are sorry if the SMS was mistakenly sent to you. Please ignore the SMS .
If you are a SingHealth patient, please update your personal details by downloading the Health Buddy app and clicking on “Personal Profile” icon. You may login with SingPass and update your contact information, including handphone numbers, address and email. Once you do this, our record will be updated across SingHealth.
Please continue to take your Meijumet PR 750mg tablets. It is unsafe to stop as this may raise your blood sugar levels.
There is no immediate health risk. Do not stop Meijumet on your own, as stopping the medication will raise your blood sugar levels.
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