Is Valsartan safe? FDA recalls heart drug because of cancer issues



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The FDA recalled a common medication used to treat heart disease after it was found to contain a cancer-related chemical.

On July 13, the body reported concerns about valsartan, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. The officials found traces of the chemical compound N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the recalled products.

Carcinogenic, a substance that could cause cancer. The natural compound was formerly used to make liquid rocket fuel and antioxidants, but it is currently used only for research purposes.

No. Items itemprop = "contentUrl" width = "961" height = "641" class = "mapping-embed lazysize lazyload" src = "https://s.newsweek.com/sites/www.newsweek.com/files/styles/embed -lg / public / 2018/07/16 / pills-drugs-medication-getty.jpg "alt =" pills-drugs-medication-getty [19659005] The FDA recalled a common heart medication after it was was found to contain a potential carcinogen. Getty Images

Symptoms of exposure to NDMA at high levels may include headache, fever, nausea, jaundice, vomiting, as well as reduced kidney function, liver and lungs.

FDA believes that NDMA has been found in valsartan due to changes in the way the active substance has been manufactured However, not all products containing valsartan have been recalled, the FDA said.

The agency launched a survey on NDMA levels in the recalled drugs. This will include an assessment of potential hazards that patients who took the drug might face.

Since drugs containing valsartan are often used to treat According to the FDA, patients worried about their mediation should contact the pharmacy that has them prescribe the drug.

Those who consume recalled drugs should follow the instructions outlined by the company that manufactured the drug, the FDA said.

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Valsartan's Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare, Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., as well as Valsartan / Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) from Solco Healthcare and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. have been affected.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Evaluation and Drug Discovery, said, "We have carefully evaluated drugs containing valsartan sold in the United States, and we found that valsartan sold by these companies specific do not meet our safety standards. That's why we asked these companies to take immediate action to protect patients. "

The FDA decision came a week after 22 other countries recalled drugs containing valsartan: Norway, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, France, Poland, Croatia, Lithuania, Greece, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bahrain and Malta, CNN reported.

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