This blood pressure medication can cause cancer - check this chemical in your medicine strips

More than half a million bottles of blood pressure medication have been pulled from shelves after tests revealed traces of a cancer-causing impurity. Teva Pharmaceuticals, a New Jersey-based company, issued a voluntary recall for its prazosin hydrochloride capsules, which are commonly prescribed to manage high blood pressure.

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What triggered the blood pressure medication recall?

Teva Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled its prazosin hydrochloride capsules after discovering potential contamination with nitrosamine impurities, specifically “No-nitroso Prazosin impurity C." This can cause serious health risks. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these impurities are known to pose cancer risks when consumed over long periods, as per a report by Fox2Detroit.

The recall involves a significant number of bottles, 181,659 bottles of the 1 mg version, 291,512 of the 2 mg, and 107,673 of the 5 mg capsules, totaling more than 580,000 units. Each bottle can contain up to 1,000 capsules, as per a report by Fox2Detroit.

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What does the FDA say about the risk level?

The U.S. FDA has classified it as a Class II risk level, "in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."

Though the risk is considered moderate, the FDA emphasized that nitrosamine contamination is a serious concern and must be addressed quickly, as per a report by Fox2Detroit.

The FDA has not yet issued specific instructions regarding what to do with the recalled bottles.


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What is prazosin hydrochloride used for?

Prazosin hydrochloride is primarily prescribed to treat high blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow. According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s also used to manage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related nightmares, as per a report by Fox2Detroit.

FAQs

Why were Teva’s prazosin capsules recalled?
Because they may contain nitrosamine impurities, a chemical linked to cancer risk.

How many bottles were affected?
Over 580,000 bottles across 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg doses.