Pain Reliever Recalled Over Potential to Cause Cancer

Drug company Insight Pharmaceuticals has recalled a specific lot of pain reliever spray after it was found to be contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical.

Insight Pharmaceuticals announced on Friday that it was voluntarily recalling one lot of Americaine 20 percent Benzocaine Topical Anesthetic Spray. The spray stops pain and itching for minor cuts, scrapes, burns, and sunburns. It is commonly used to relieve symptoms associated with hemorrhoids and anorectic inflammation.

According to the recall announcement, the contaminated lot of the product "showed a low level of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can." Benzene is a carcinogen that can potentially cause cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow, as well as blood disorders.

Insight Pharmaceuticals said it has not received any reports of "serious adverse events related to this recall," adding that the recall is "out of an abundance of caution."

The company also pointed out how common benzene is in the environment.

"Humans around the world have daily exposures to it indoors and outdoors from multiple sources," the recall notice said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that benzene can be found in indoor and outdoor air, although levels are typically higher indoors. Benzene in indoor air can come from products like glues, paints, furniture wax and detergents, according to the CDC. Low levels of benzene can be found outside from tobacco smoke, gas stations, car exhaust and industrial emissions.

The company said the contaminated lot contains the code 1A16420 and the package size is 2 ounces. Insight Pharmaceuticals added that no other lots of the spray "are in the scope of this recall and may continue to be used by consumers safely and as intended." Consumers who purchased the spray from the contaminated lot should immediately stop using it and throw it out.

The company said: "Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using this anesthetic product."

Immediate symptoms of people who breathe in high levels of benzene may include drowsiness, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, headaches, tremors, confusion, unconsciousness and even death if exposed to very high levels.

However, the CDC says: "Showing these signs and symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has been exposed to benzene."

Consumers may also get a refund if they take a photo of the bottom of the contaminated can before throwing it away and provide it to the company. Insight Pharmaceuticals listed its contact information in the recall notice, which can be found on the Food and Drug Administration website.

Newsweek reached out to Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc., which owns Insight Pharmaceuticals, via email for comment.