Health Antidepressant Used by Millions Recalled Over Possible Cancer-Causing Contamination By Tamilore Oshikanlu Millions of Americans who take a popular antidepressant are being urged to check their medicine cabinets after a staggering number of bottles were recalled amid concerns over possible contamination. Towa Pharmaceutical and its U.S. distributor, Breckenridge Pharmaceutical, voluntarily recalled multiple lots, totaling nearly 370,000 bottles, of duloxetine delayed-release capsules on June 4. The voluntary recall came after a potentially cancer-causing chemical, N-nitroso-duloxetine, was discovered in elevated levels above the acceptable limits set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=33XWph_1CRXnmoN00 The recall affects both 30 mg and 60 mg capsules of duloxetine, a widely prescribed medication used to treat depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, and certain types of chronic nerve pain. According to the National Library of Medicine, N-nitroso-duloxetine is a nitrosamine compound that is “suspected of causing cancer.” The compound belongs to a broader class of chemicals that have triggered a string of high-profile drug recalls. Duloxetine is one of the most commonly prescribed antidepressants in the U.S., and is sold separately under the brand name Cymbalta. The recall affects the generic duloxetine delayed-release capsules manufactured by Towa Pharmaceutical. Cymbalta, which is manufactured by Lilly, is not impacted. Among those who have publicly discussed taking duloxetine are singer-actress sisters Aly and AJ Michalka, who told PopSugar in 2020 that they had taken Cymbalta for nearly a decade to help manage anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=260cF3_1CRXnmoN00 The medication works by increasing levels of serotonin and no