The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced a voluntary recall of drugs used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
The FDA joins 22 other countries in recalling several drugs, reported Fox News. All of the drugs include the active ingredient valsartan.
Tests showed that there was N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in the recalled products. The FDA reported that NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests.
“However, not all products containing valsartan are being recalled. The presence of NDMA was unexpected and is thought to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured,” added the FDA.
NDMA is a chemical that is in a family of potent carcinogens. It has been used to make liquid rocket fuel, softeners, and lubricants. It can also be unintentionally produced through certain chemical reactions, and it is a byproduct of some pesticide manufacturing, the making of rubber tires, and fish processing.
The US recall includes the versions of valsartan that are made by Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare, and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. They are also recalling valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) sold by Solco Healthcare and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.
Testing done on animals has shown that NDMA can cause tumors in the liver, kidney and respiratory tract. It can also potentially cause liver damage and probable cancer in humans at high levels.
The investigation into the drugs is ongoing. They are also in the process of investigating the impact of patients who have been taking the contaminated drug. They are also working with the companies to prevent future batches of the drug from being contaminated.
“The FDA is committed to maintaining our gold standard for safety and efficacy. That includes our efforts to ensure the quality of drugs and the safe manner in which they’re manufactured,” said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. “When we identify lapses in the quality of drugs and problems with their manufacturing that have the potential to create risks to patients, we’re committed to taking swift action to alert the public and help facilitate the removal of the products from the market.”
But no worries for people who rely on these drugs. They are working to find substitutes.
“As we seek the removal of certain drug products today, our drug shortages team is also working hard to ensure patients’ therapeutic needs are met in the United States with an adequate supply of unaffected medications,” added Gottlieb.
Information for Patients and Health Care Professionals
Because valsartan is used in medicines that treat serious medical conditions, patients are advised to continue taking their valsartan-containing medicines until they have a replacement product.
To determine whether a specific product has been recalled, patients are told to look at the drug name and company name on the label of their prescription bottle. If that information isn’t on the bottle, they should contact the pharmacy that dispensed the medicine.
If a patient is taking one of the recalled medicines listed below, they should follow the recall instructions provided by the specific company. They should also contact their prescribing doctor to discuss further treatment. Going off the medication without consulting a doctor could be dangerous.
The companies listed below are recalling all lots of non-expired products that contain the ingredient valsartan supplied by a third-party.
Medicine Company
Valsartan Major Pharmaceuticals
Valsartan Solco Healthcare
Valsartan Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.
Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Solco Healthcare
Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd.
“We have carefully assessed the valsartan-containing medications sold in the United States, and we’ve found that the valsartan sold by these specific companies does not meet our safety standards. This is why we’ve asked these companies to take immediate action to protect patients,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.
Written by Kristen Undset and published by Faith Family America ~ July 16, 2018
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