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Another company recalling blood pressure medication due to cancer-causing impurity

Posted at 9:38 AM, Jan 02, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-02 10:39:28-05

Another pharmaceutical company has issued a voluntary recall for blood pressure medication due to concerns it may contain a certain cancer-causing impurity.

Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc is recalling 80 lots of Amlodipine Valsartan Tablets USP, Valsartan HCTZ Tablets, USP and Valsartan Tablets USP due to the concern that they may contain trace amounts of the impurity N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). According to the FDA, the substance occurs naturally in certain foods, drinking water, air pollution, and industrial processes. It is also classified as a probable human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Recalls of Valsartan tablets began in 2018 after the impurity was first discovered. Several pharmaceutical companies have issued recalls since that finding.

Blood-Pressure-medication-recall
Valsartan blood pressure medication recall courtesy FDA

The tablets are prescribed to control high blood pressure and the treatment of heart failure. The FDA says that patients who are prescribed the drug should continue to take the medication as the risk of discontinuing the use may pose a higher risk to those patients without another immediate treatment.

Those who take the recalled tablets are asked to contact their pharmacist or physician for alternative treatments.

For a full list of recalled lots, click here.