Blood Pressure Medication Recalled – Here's What You Need to Know

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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced earlier this month a voluntary recall of several drugs containing valsartan, which is used to treat lymphadenopathy. high blood pressure and heart failure. The products have been recalled due to the presence of an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), a substance that presents a potential risk of cancer.

NDMA is classified as a probable carcinogen for humans based on laboratory tests. remember voluntarily their medications including Major Pharmaceuticals' valsartan, Solco Healthcare and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., as well as Solco and Teva's valsartan / hydrochlorothiazide.

The FDA stated in a statement that "the presence of NDMA was unexpected and is believed to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured."

The medications concerned are all generic versions of the Diovan brand, which is made by Novartis International AG. Diovan and generic versions made by other companies are not included in the recall.

"This is not the valsartan drug that is the problem.This is a contaminant that has been included in the manufacturing process that is the problem.Patients should not lose confidence in the drug itself, "said Dr. Victoria Shin, a cardiologist at Torrance Memorial Medical Center in Torrance, Calif.

She added that she did not expect recalls to affect care

The FDA stated in its statement that she "was working with the companies involved to reduce or eliminate the impurity of the API valsartan future products." She also strives to to ensure that the United States has a "sufficient supply." CNN reports that the external supplier related to the NDMA impurity in the recalled products has stopped distributing its valsartan ingredient

What should patients do? [19659011] The FDA lists the instructi recall instructions provided by the specific product. companies, including the batch numbers of drugs included in the recall and how to return or dispose of the affected drugs.

He noted that patients should look at the name of the drug and the company listed on the prescription label to determine if their drug has been recalled. They can also contact the pharmacy where they picked it up.

These drugs are used to treat serious medical conditions – hypertension and heart failure.

Thus, "patients should not stop their treatment without consulting a doctor. Said Shin. "It can cause high and uncontrolled blood pressure that can potentially have serious health consequences."

A doctor or pharmacist can also help patients find another medicine. Act of another product of valsartan or a different drug from the same class of drugs, known as angiotensin receptor blockers

These inhibitors include losartan , olmesartan, irbesartan and other medications.People may react differently to the new drug.The dose may also need to be adjusted under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

If patients end up paying more for their new drug depends on the product they are turning to GoodRx lists the retail price of the Diovan brand around $ 250, with generic versions of valsartan as low as e $ 11.32.Medical health plans may also often have lower copays for certain medications.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NDMA is formed during industrial and natural processes. It was formerly used in the production of liquid rocket fuel, antioxidants and additives for lubricants.

The EPA notes that what is known about the dangers of this chemical comes mainly from laboratory studies. Exposure to high levels of NDMA can cause liver damage in people.

The long-term cancer risks of NDMA levels found in the recalled valsartan products are unknown.

FDA officials said it was present in the recalled products and assesses the effect this could have on patients who were taking the drugs.