Veterinary Products Containing Gentian Violet Pose Cancer Risk

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.

In Canada, there are nine registered veterinary drug products containing gentian violet, including Thrush Buster, Blu Kote Dr Naylor, Cristisol, Guard and Wound Spray and Wound Clear Spray.

These products are used to treat surface wounds and eye infections in food-producing and companion animals (e.g., cattle, poultry, horses, dogs, cats). All manufacturers have voluntarily stopped marketing these products, their product licences have been cancelled, and any products that were on the Canadian market have been recalled.

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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 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 these products, and therefore any exposure to these products is a potential cause for concern.

What you should do:

Stop using all drug products that contain gentian violet, including on animals. Products for humans should be returned to a pharmacy for proper disposal. Animal owners can discuss options for the safe disposal of their products with their veterinarians or local pharmacies.
Do not use dressings containing gentian violet for longer than six months or if you are pregnant or nursing.
Consult your health care professional if you have used any health products containing gentian violet and have health concerns.
Read product labels to verify that health products have been authorized for sale by Health Canada. Authorized health products have an eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN), Natural Product Number (NPN) or Homeopathic Drug Number (DIN-HM). You can also check whether products have been authorized for sale by searching the Drug Product Database, Medical Devices Active Licence Listing (MDALL) and Licensed Natural Health Product Database.
Report any health product-related adverse reactions or complaints to Health Canada.
Contact Health Canada at 1-800-267-9675 or by completing an online complaint form if you find a drug product that contains gentian violet in the Canadian marketplace.

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