FDA Recalls Blood Pressure Drugs Tainted With Cancer-Causing Chemical Contamination In 580,000 Bottles

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recalled over 580,000 bottles of a blood-pressure drug after finding a potentially cancer-causing chemical impurity.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall for certain batches of blood pressure drugs after it was discovered that they contained a cancer-causing chemical. The recall is on drugs that are employed to treat high blood pressure and heart-related problems. The FDA claims that the contaminant in these drugs may cause higher chances of cancer in case of long-term consumption.

Blood Pressure Drugs Tainted With Cancer-Causing Chemical

New Jersey-based Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and drug distributor Amerisource Health Services issued voluntary nationwide recalls earlier this month of more than 580,000 bottles of various strengths of prazosine capsules, according to the FDA. Patients are urged not to quit taking their medication without the consent of the doctor because abrupt withdrawal might lead to severe health consequences.

What Are N-Nitrosamines?

As per the FDA, the medicines that were recalled had traces of nitrosamines, which are chemicals that are known to cause cancer. An example of such a compound, which is a daily contaminant, is N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which can appear in the course of drug production when the technology of manufacturing the products is not thoroughly supervised. Even though all people are subjected to a low dose of nitrosamines in food and water, when found in medicines, they are reported to be dangerous.

The FDA indicated that this problem does not imply that all blood pressure medications are not safe. The batches of particular companies have only been impacted, and the information regarding the products is posted on the official FDA websites.

Safety Precautions Patients Should Take

In case you are used to high blood pressure medication, please look at the label or call your pharmacist to determine whether or not your medication is in the recall. When it is, there is no reason to panic or quit taking it on the shortest notice. Rather, contact your medical practitioner. They will be able to advise you that you should change to a safe alternative brand or formulation.

Doctors also encourage exercising any treatment of the side effects or any strange symptoms during medication use. When these symptoms are reported, the authorities can recognise the problems faster in the future.

Overuse of Medicine

High blood pressure represents an ordinary disease that plagues millions of individuals across the globe. Consistently taking medicine prevents dreadful conditions like a stroke and a heart attack. The recalls such as this one may be frightening, and they demonstrate that the monitoring is in place to guarantee safety.

Patients have to be aware of information using reliable channels and ensure that they check with their physicians frequently. One of the best methods of blood pressure control and safeguarding of long-term health is to take the right medicine in the right amount.