Cancer-causing benzene found in some generic cold medicine

( NewsNation ) — Generic versions of the cold medicine Mucinex may contain the carcinogen benzene, a Bloomberg analysis found.

Store-brand versions of Mucinex sold at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart and Rite Aid contain benzene, a known carcinogen that can cause leukemia and other blood disorders, Bloomberg reported . The name-brand and generic versions use a carbomer powder to achieve the drug’s extended-release benefits. Some generic versions use a more cost-effective powder that contains benzene unlike the name-brand cold medicine.

CVS told NewsNation its products are developed to comply with regulations but noted that it’s working to replace the carbomer in its store-brand over-the-counter mucus relief medication.

Drugmaker Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc. and corporate contacts from Target, Walmart, Walgreens and Rite Aid did not immediately reply to NewsNation’s emails seeking comment.

Amneal Pharmaceuticals Inc. told Bloomberg it plans to submit testing data on its new formulation to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by the end of the year. The product is expected to hit the market before August 2025.

What is benzene and what risk does it pose?

Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet smell.

A known human carcinogen, researchers say benzene can cause leukemia and other blood disorders. It can be found in vehicle exhaust and cigarette smoke.

Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) says evidence shows benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia (AML), it’s also been linked with acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to the American Cancer Society.

Which products contain benzene?

People can be exposed to benzene at work, in the environment or while using certain products.

In addition to store-brand Mucinex, Bloomberg’s analysis learned carbomers with benzene were used in Walgreens’ version of the oral pain reliever Anbesol, Walmart’s Equate brand face moisturizer with sunscreen and Rite Aid’s version of Bengay muscle rub.

Certain hand sanitizers and aerosol spray drugs like antiperspirants and sunscreens have been recalled for benzene contamination.

Is it allowed in medicine?

Benzene levels have to meet the regulations set by multiple U.S. agencies. That includes the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which considers any product containing 5% or more by weight of benzene to be hazardous and in need of special labeling.

Jeff Keyser, the inventor of Mucinex, told Bloomberg there’s no scientific reason to use carbomers that contain benzene.

What is the FDA saying?

The FDA has been working with companies to address benzene issues in drugs for years. The agency identified in 2020 that some carbomers may have unacceptable levels of benzene. Since then, the FDA recommended the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) update its guidance and alerted manufacturers to the risk of benzene contamination in certain drugs.

The industry is expected to phase out the use of benzene in medication by 2026 .

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