Carcinogenic Nitrosamines formed by Drug/Nitrite Interactions

NITROSAMINES are compounds with broad carcinogenic activity in many animal species, but have seldom been detected in the environment in significant quantities. Man may nevertheless be exposed to nitrosamines formed in vivo from ingested nitrite and secondary amines1–3. Nitrite is a common constituent of the diet, as are several secondary amines4. Since tertiary amines can also react with nitrite5 in the mildly acid conditions of the mammalian stomach, the exposure of man to the many tertiary nitrogen compounds which are drugs6 must also be considered.