Hypertension medication recalls are on the rise. According to a recent WAFB article, five hypertension medications have been recalled in the last two weeks. WAFB reports that “American Health Packaging is voluntarily recalling one lot of blood pressure medication to the consumer level due to the detection of trace amounts of an unexpected impurity… the impurity found is N-Nitrosodiethylamine, or NDEA; a substance that occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes, and has been classified as a probable human carcinogen.”
Why you should be concerned?According to an article by medshadow.org, the impurity NDEA has been shown to increase the risk for cancer, cause liver damage along with other negative health effects.
Current Medications that have been recalled.
1. Valsartan Tablets USP 160 mg
2. Losartan Potassium Tablets USP and Losartan Potassium/hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP
3. Valsartan and Amlodipine and Valsartan Tablets
4. Losartan Tablets USP 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg5. Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide Combination Tablets
What should you do? Although the medications have been recalled, patients are urged to continue taking their medications. Currently there are no reported injuries and a patient risks of harm to the patient’s health may be higher if the medication is stopped without any alternative treatment. As a precaution, you should consult with your physician to determine the best course of action.
Sources:http://www.wafb.com/2019/03/08/fifth-hypertension-medication-recalled-two-weeks/
https://www.precisionvaccinations.com/n-nitrosodimethylamine-ndma-considered-chemical-can-increase-risk-cancer-humans-says-epa
https://medshadow.org/health-buzz/valsartan-blood-pressure-recall/