FDA Expands Recall Of Common Blood Pressure Drug Over Cancer Concern

(CNN) — The US Food and Drug Administration expanded the list of drugs being recalled that contain valsartan. The drug is used as a component in a set of drugs used to treat heart failure and blood pressure. The FDA initially announced a valsartan recall in July after lab tests discovered that some drugs could have been tainted with a substance linked to higher risk of cancer. The drug had previously been recalled in 22 other countries. The expanded recall includes some drugs that contain valsartan and hydrochlorothisazide. Not all of the drugs containing valsartan were impacted. N-nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA, the impurity the lab tests found, is considered a possible carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is an organic chemical that has been used to make liquid rocket fuel, and can be unintentionally introduced through certain chemical reactions. It’s a byproduct from the manufacturing of some pesticides and fish processing. The medicines that are now a part of this expanded list in the recall are tablets sold by AvKare, A-S Medication Solutions LLC, Bryant Ranch Prepack Inc, H J Harkins Company, Northwind Pharmaceuticals, Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc. (labeled as Solco Healthcare LLC), Proficient Rx LP, Remedy Repack, Teva Pharmaceuticals (labeled as Major Pharmaceuticals), Teva Pharmaceuticals USA (labeled as Actavis). The recalled heart drug. (Image credit: FDA) The FDA also published a list of valsartan products that are not currently recall...
Source: WBZ-TV - Breaking News, Weather and Sports for Boston, Worcester and New Hampshire - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Consumer Health News Local TV Recall Valsartan Source Type: news