Karl's Gal
So innocent looking, but...
OTTAWA - Health Canada has completed a safety review of human health products and veterinary drugs containing gentian violet and has found that exposure to these products may increase the risk of cancer. Given the seriousness of this risk, Health Canada is advising Canadians to stop using all human and veterinary drug products containing gentian violet.
Gentian violet is an antiseptic dye used to treat fungal infections. Products containing gentian violet have been used on the skin, on mucous membranes (inside the nose, mouth or vagina), on open wounds, or on the nipple of a nursing mother to treat oral thrush in infants.
Health Canada’s risk assessment of medical devices containing gentian violet found that the gentian violet is unlikely to come into direct contact with the skin. Therefore, these products do not pose an increased risk of cancer when used for a short time and in most people, and they remain on the market in Canada. However, you should not use dressings containing gentian violet for longer than six months, or if you are pregnant or nursing.
Health Canada's review was triggered by the World Health Organization's Codex Alimentarius Commission's recommendation on the potential risk of cancer associated with veterinary drug residues in foods, including gentian violet. Although the Commission's recommendations were specific to food residues, Health Canada reviewed the safety of human non-prescription drugs, veterinary drugs and medical devices containing gentian violet.
After completing two safety assessments, the Department concluded that, as with other known cancer causing substances, there is no safe level of exposure, and therefore any exposure to these drug products is a potential cause for concern.
Health Canada warns Canadians of potential cancer risk associated with gentian violet
Report a Concern
Starting date:
June 12, 2019
Type of communication:
Information Update
Subcategory:
Drugs
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Important Safety Information
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-70179
Last updated: 2019-06-27
So innocent looking, but...
OTTAWA - Health Canada has completed a safety review of human health products and veterinary drugs containing gentian violet and has found that exposure to these products may increase the risk of cancer. Given the seriousness of this risk, Health Canada is advising Canadians to stop using all human and veterinary drug products containing gentian violet.
Gentian violet is an antiseptic dye used to treat fungal infections. Products containing gentian violet have been used on the skin, on mucous membranes (inside the nose, mouth or vagina), on open wounds, or on the nipple of a nursing mother to treat oral thrush in infants.
Health Canada’s risk assessment of medical devices containing gentian violet found that the gentian violet is unlikely to come into direct contact with the skin. Therefore, these products do not pose an increased risk of cancer when used for a short time and in most people, and they remain on the market in Canada. However, you should not use dressings containing gentian violet for longer than six months, or if you are pregnant or nursing.
Health Canada's review was triggered by the World Health Organization's Codex Alimentarius Commission's recommendation on the potential risk of cancer associated with veterinary drug residues in foods, including gentian violet. Although the Commission's recommendations were specific to food residues, Health Canada reviewed the safety of human non-prescription drugs, veterinary drugs and medical devices containing gentian violet.
After completing two safety assessments, the Department concluded that, as with other known cancer causing substances, there is no safe level of exposure, and therefore any exposure to these drug products is a potential cause for concern.
Health Canada warns Canadians of potential cancer risk associated with gentian violet
Report a Concern
Starting date:
June 12, 2019
Type of communication:
Information Update
Subcategory:
Drugs
Source of recall:
Health Canada
Issue:
Important Safety Information
Audience:
General Public
Identification number:
RA-70179
Last updated: 2019-06-27