Phthalates in Medications
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'Inactive' phthalates widespread in medications.
The use of phthalates as inactive ingredients in medicines and supplements is common but possible health risks from these exposures is not known.
Researchers from Boston University and Harvard University found more than 100 different prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements contain phthalates as inactive ingredients. That is, the chemicals do not act as medicines but instead carry and deliver the medicinal ingredients.
It's no secret that pharmaceuticals contain phthalates. The chemicals are sometimes listed as ingredients, and they have been measured in urine in people with chronic diseases – such as cystic fibrosis – who take a lot of medications.
What's surprising is the extent of their use in such different types of products, including nutritional supplements. The exposures and possible health risks from the widespread sources remain unknown. However, any increase in exposure levels to these chemicals from dietary and medicinal sources is concerning because of health effects associated with certain phthalates.
Some phthalates – including DBP and DEHP – may pose health risks to people. Animal studies show these chemicals can alter developmental and reproductive processes. But many of those found in the medicines have not been studied for health effects.
Phthalates are best known as plastic softeners and liquid stabilizers. Medical tubing, food packaging and personal care products such as perfumes and fingernail polish contain the chemicals. Their widespread use in common products means human exposure is ubiquitous.
In the study, researchers determined the inactive ingredients of medicinal pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements in the U.S. and Canada sold since 1995. To determine their use in products, they reviewed a variety of reference books and electronic databases, product packages and direct communication with manufacturers.
The findings suggest phthalates are commonly used in a variety of pharmaceuticals and supplements. Modified delivery systems – that is, controlled, delayed or targeted release – tended to use phthalates more often.
A variety of dietary supplements – including fish oil, garlic, vitamins B and C, and probiotics – often used these chemicals.
Their use varied widely among manufacturers, with similar products often containing different formulations of the "inactive" ingredients. A change in the use of, or phasing out of some of these chemicals was also common across time, making it difficult to properly track use in some pills.
Inactive ingredients – those compounds that play a role in preparation, stability and delivery of a pill – are regulated in FDA-approved drug products. The use of these ingredients in over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements are less regulated and often not required to be listed on the product package.
DBP and DEP were common phthalates identified, but the degree of risk to human health from these sources is unknown. Many of the other phthalates identified in this study are either not considered toxic at low doses or not enough information is available to determine toxicity.
Due to the extensive use of medications and dietary supplements, these results suggest some concern for human exposure to these unknown inactive ingredients.
Source : Environmental Health News
Link To Source
'Inactive' phthalates widespread in medications.
The use of phthalates as inactive ingredients in medicines and supplements is common but possible health risks from these exposures is not known.
Researchers from Boston University and Harvard University found more than 100 different prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements contain phthalates as inactive ingredients. That is, the chemicals do not act as medicines but instead carry and deliver the medicinal ingredients.
It's no secret that pharmaceuticals contain phthalates. The chemicals are sometimes listed as ingredients, and they have been measured in urine in people with chronic diseases – such as cystic fibrosis – who take a lot of medications.
What's surprising is the extent of their use in such different types of products, including nutritional supplements. The exposures and possible health risks from the widespread sources remain unknown. However, any increase in exposure levels to these chemicals from dietary and medicinal sources is concerning because of health effects associated with certain phthalates.
Some phthalates – including DBP and DEHP – may pose health risks to people. Animal studies show these chemicals can alter developmental and reproductive processes. But many of those found in the medicines have not been studied for health effects.
Phthalates are best known as plastic softeners and liquid stabilizers. Medical tubing, food packaging and personal care products such as perfumes and fingernail polish contain the chemicals. Their widespread use in common products means human exposure is ubiquitous.
In the study, researchers determined the inactive ingredients of medicinal pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements in the U.S. and Canada sold since 1995. To determine their use in products, they reviewed a variety of reference books and electronic databases, product packages and direct communication with manufacturers.
The findings suggest phthalates are commonly used in a variety of pharmaceuticals and supplements. Modified delivery systems – that is, controlled, delayed or targeted release – tended to use phthalates more often.
A variety of dietary supplements – including fish oil, garlic, vitamins B and C, and probiotics – often used these chemicals.
Their use varied widely among manufacturers, with similar products often containing different formulations of the "inactive" ingredients. A change in the use of, or phasing out of some of these chemicals was also common across time, making it difficult to properly track use in some pills.
Inactive ingredients – those compounds that play a role in preparation, stability and delivery of a pill – are regulated in FDA-approved drug products. The use of these ingredients in over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements are less regulated and often not required to be listed on the product package.
DBP and DEP were common phthalates identified, but the degree of risk to human health from these sources is unknown. Many of the other phthalates identified in this study are either not considered toxic at low doses or not enough information is available to determine toxicity.
Due to the extensive use of medications and dietary supplements, these results suggest some concern for human exposure to these unknown inactive ingredients.
Source : Environmental Health News
Link To Source