Blood Pressure Medicine Is Recalled

Blood Pressure Medication Recall Continues — Here’s What you would like to understand

Editor's note: This story on the recall of certain vital sign medications have been updated numerous times since it had been first published on July 24, 2018.

Healthline will still update this text whenever there's new information on the continued recall.

A drug company has expanded the recall of its vital sign medications — the latest development during a long list of recalls that are happening for the past 14 months.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals announced trusted Source last week that it had been expanding its recall to a further 3 many Losartan Potassium Tablets USP and a couple of many Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets, USP.

Company officials said an impurity suspected of being a the cancer-causing agent had been found within the finished manufactured version of the tablets.

Dozens of vital sign medications are recalledTrusted Source since the primary products have achieved the shelf in July 2018 thanks to impurities.

The affected products all contained valsartan, losartan, or irbesartan.

These belong to a class of medicine referred to as angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), which are wont to treat high vital sign and coronary failure.

List of recalled ARB medications?

Below may be a condensed version of the list of recalled ARB medications trusted Source maintained by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA list includes dose, lot number, and expiration date for the products.

A-S Medication Solutions LLC: Valsartan and Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Acetris Health, LLC: Valsartan

Actavis Pharma, Inc.: Valsartan and Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

American Health Packaging: Valsartan

Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.: Amlodipine/Valsartan, Valsartan, and

Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

AvKare, Inc.: Losartan, Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ),

Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), and Valsartan

Bryant Ranch Prepack Inc.: Valsartan

Camber Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Losartan and Valsartan

Golden State Medical Supply: Losartan

GSMS Incorporated: Irbesartan

H J Harkins Company Inc. / Pharma Pac: Losartan and Valsartan

Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc: Losartan

Legacy Pharmaceutical Packaging, LLC: Losartan

Macleods Pharmaceutical Ltd.: Losartan and Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Major Pharmaceuticals: Losartan and Valsartan

Mylan Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Amlodipine/Valsartan, Valsartan, and

Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Northwind Pharmaceuticals: Valsartan and Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

NuCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.: Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Preferred Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Losartan

Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc., dba Solco Healthcare LLC: Irbesartan and

Irbesartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

RemedyRepack Inc.: Amlodipine/Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), Losartan,

Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), Valsartan, and

Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Sandoz Inc.: Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Solco Healthcare LLC.: Valsartan and Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.: Amlodipine/Valsartan and

Amlodipine/Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited: Amlodipine/Valsartan,

Amlodipine/Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), Losartan,

Losartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), and Valsartan

Westminster Pharmaceuticals: Irbesartan

What impurities are within the medicines?

The recalled products contained trusted Source N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), NNitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), or N-Nitroso-N-methyl-4-aminobutyric acid (NMBA) above levels deemed safe by the FDA.

NDMA and NDEA are "probable human carcinogens" and NMBA may be a "potential human carcinogen," consistent with the FDA.

In addition, the web pharmacy Valisure filed a petition in June with the FDA, saying it

found the chemical dimethylformamide (DMF) in certain valsartan products.

The World Health Organization listed DMF as a probable carcinogen last year.

An FDA official told CBS News that the agency will investigate Valisure's claim.

How did the impurities get in?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NDMA forms during both

industrial and natural processes.

It was formerly utilized in the assembly of liquid rocket propellant, antioxidants, and lubricant additives.

The FDA's investigation rested Source has found that these impurities can occur in medications as a result of certain chemicals and conditions during the manufacturing process. they'll even be caused when appropriate manufacturing processes aren't followed.

Dr. Victoria Shin, a cardiologist with Torrance Memorial center in California emphasized that the recalls aren't thanks to dragging with valsartan.

FIND YOUR DIETS

"It's a contaminant that was included within the manufacturing process that is the problem,"

said Shin.

"Patients shouldn't lose faith within the drug itself."

She added that she doesn't expect the recalls to affect patient care due to the availability of other ARBs.

Are all ARBs included within the recall?

Since the recall started last July, multiple companies have voluntarily recalled their medications, including valsartan from Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare, and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., also as valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide from Solco and Teva.

Currently, the recall affects only medications containing valsartan, losartan, or irbesartan.

However, not all of these medications are affected and being recalled.

To see if your medication has been affected, check the FDA's list of recalled products trusted Source.

The agency also features a list of all ARBsTrusted Source, with testing results for nitrosamine impurities.

The FDA continues to check samples of other ARBs and can work with manufacturers to remove affected products from the market.

It also regularly posts updates on its investigation rested Source of those products.

Recalls have also been recently issued for ranitidine, a medicine wont to prevent and treat heartburn, ulcers, and esophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Affected products, which include brand-name Zantac, contain small amounts of NDMA.

What is the risk?

The long-term cancer risks of the impurities found within the recalled products are unknown.

However, in November the FDA estimate trusted Source that if 8,000 people took the highest dose of valsartan from a recalled batch containing NDMA a day for 4 years, one additional case of cancer would occur over the lifetimes of these people.

Recently, the FDA updated it is earning trusted Source, saying "The actual risk to patients is likely much less than our estimates."

Most people would be exposed to much less NDMA than this "worst-case scenario," the agency said.

What should consumers do?

People who are taking an ARB containing valsartan, losartan, or irbesartan can search the FDA's list of recalled ARB products trusted Source to ascertain if their medication is affected.

Recalled medications are often identified by checking the merchandise name, manufacturer details, and batch or lot number on the bottle or packaging.

If unsure, you ought to ask your doctor or the pharmacy where you filled your prescription.

These medications are wont to treat serious medical conditions — a high vital sign and coronary failure.

So "patients shouldn't stop their medication on their own without consulting a physician," said Shin. "This can cause elevated and uncontrolled vital sign which can potentially have severe health consequences."

A doctor or pharmacist can help patients find an alternate medication. this might be another valsartan product or another sort of ARB.

Patients should monitor their vital signs closely after switching medicines. People may respond differently to new medication.

The dose can also, be got to be adjusted under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Unused medication suffering from the recall are often returned to a pharmacist for correct disposal.