Worried about the effects of titanium dioxide (an ingredient metformin tablets) on my brain cells

[Peter-ch]

I am very worried about my diabetic tablets (i.e. metformin 1,000 mg) BD & blood pressure tablets (i.e. Losartan, istadipine, indapamide) contains Titanium dioxide which I gather from several websites that titanium dioxide nano-particles (NP) are absorbed in the intestines & blood-brain barrier causing oxidative stress and necrosis to in glial cells & neurones in the brain.

I am extremely worried about the possibly (however slight) of necrosis (cell death) to the glial cells & neurones in the brain - enough to greatly worry & stress me every second of my waking moments.

I know some foodstuffs (& cosmetics, sunscreens, etc) contain Titanium dioxide but I can read the labels before buying them. As for prescribed drugs medication obtained from a pharmacy this is more problematic.

Is there such tablets without titanium dioxide as a inactive (colouring)agent? Are there possible tablets & pharmaceutical retailers I approach on this matter (so that I can sent my repeat prescriptions to them to dispense.

 

[Pinkorchid]

I am very worried about my diabetic tablets (i.e. metformin 1,000 mg) BD & blood pressure tablets (i.e. Losartan, istadipine, indapamide) contains Titanium dioxide which I gather from several websites that titanium dioxide nano-particles (NP) are absorbed in the intestines & blood-brain barrier causing oxidative stress and necrosis to in glial cells & neurones in the brain.

I am extremely worried about the possibly (however slight) of necrosis (cell death) to the glial cells & neurones in the brain - enough to greatly worry & stress me every second of my waking moments.

I know some foodstuffs (& cosmetics, sunscreens, etc) contain Titanium dioxide but I can read the labels before buying them. As for prescribed drugs medication obtained from a pharmacy this is more problematic.

Is there such tablets without titanium dioxide as a inactive (colouring)agent? Are there possible tablets & pharmaceutical retailers I approach on this matter (so that I can sent my repeat prescriptions to them to dispense.

If you are that worried and stressed about it then you really should speak to your doctor don't let yourself get paranoid about it. I have not heard that anyone here has the same concerns and a lot of us take Metformin and blood pressure tablets

 

[Chris9450]

I am very worried about my diabetic tablets (i.e. metformin 1,000 mg) BD & blood pressure tablets (i.e. Losartan, istadipine, indapamide) contains Titanium dioxide which I gather from several websites that titanium dioxide nano-particles (NP) are absorbed in the intestines & blood-brain barrier causing oxidative stress and necrosis to in glial cells & neurones in the brain.

I am extremely worried about the possibly (however slight) of necrosis (cell death) to the glial cells & neurones in the brain - enough to greatly worry & stress me every second of my waking moments.

I know some foodstuffs (& cosmetics, sunscreens, etc) contain Titanium dioxide but I can read the labels before buying them. As for prescribed drugs medication obtained from a pharmacy this is more problematic.

Is there such tablets without titanium dioxide as a inactive (colouring)agent? Are there possible tablets & pharmaceutical retailers I approach on this matter (so that I can sent my repeat prescriptions to them to dispense.

Dear Peter-ch

My experience has been that Glucophage, the patented Metformin contains 3 fillers, compared to several Metformin (generic brands) which contain 9 fillers, usually including titanium dioxide. I've been Type II diabetic for 14 years now. Previously, I have had trouble with Amaryl (branded glimepiride) and the generic equivalent. Changing back to patented Amaryl improved my HBa1c by 10%.

After several years of developing skin rashes which various doctors cannot explain, I have gone to 2 clinics (one in UK and one in US) which specialises in functional medicine. The UK clinic was prepared to ask the GP to put me onto the simpler Glucophage (patented form of Metformin) to prevent the ingestion of 6 extra fillers 3 times every day which could be contributing to the skin rashes!

Try not to worry incessantly about it but please go back to your doctor and, even if he disagrees with the potential risk of titanium dioxide, ask politely that you try the patented brand. My doctor was happy to change my prescription as there was only a negligible difference in the cost on the drugs bill at the surgery level. Be reasonable, ask for a trial two month prescription to start with!

You can see what is in your current Metformin by checking the info in the package of tablets. You might even find some evidence of concern on the Internet to back your case but be careful if presenting that to your GP unless it is on a 'good website' not a 'cranky' one. Pharmacists will only dispense the patented Glucophage if it is requested directly on the prescription. Otherwise they will dispense the generic branded Metformin.

Talk to your pharmacist to see if they will provide a titanium dioxide-free generic but I could not find one locally.

Best of luck, hope your GP is one of the good ones