Industrial chemical found in Cubicin

Medicine & Health / Medications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Cubist Pharmaceuticals is warning that an industrial chemical has been found in the antibiotic Cubicin.

Cubist, a Massachusetts-based drug maker, said the chemical 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) has been found in reconstituted Cubicin stored in ReadyMED pumps, which are made by Cardinal Health. "At this time, Cubist recommends against using ReadyMED elastomeric infusion pumps with Cubicin," Cubist said in a letter to medical professionals last week.

Cubist spokeswoman Eileen McIntyre told The Wall Street Journal the company thinks the contamination came from the drug pumps. Cardinal Health said it is investigating the issue.

Cubist said MBT, which is used in the manufacturing of rubber, was not detected in samples from Eclipse pumps or control samples. The chemical has been associated with an increased risk of tumors in laboratory rats, Cubist said.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International

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