Prescription blood pressure medication withdrawn due to cancer-inducing contaminant found
In a recent development, Pfizer has voluntarily recalled several lots of blood pressure medications due to the presence of a cancer-causing impurity called nitrosamine. The recalled products were distributed between November 2019 and March 2022.
The recalled drugs include Accuretic (quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide), quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide, and quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide tablets. The specific lots can be found on Pfizer's website.
Nitrosamines are probable human carcinogens, with risk from long-term exposure mostly identified in contaminated blood pressure drugs like valsartan. While Accuretic and quinapril/hydrochlorothiazide tablets are not specifically reported to have significant nitrosamine contamination, manufacturers must ensure compliance with nitrate impurity limits.
Regulatory bodies mandate strict testing and quality control to minimize nitrosamine impurities in all blood pressure medications to mitigate any cancer risk. Long-term health risks from physiological levels found in approved medicines remain very low but present enough concern to warrant ongoing monitoring.
If you find that your medication is on the recall list, it is crucial to contact your physician for guidance. Reimbursement for returned products can be obtained by calling (888) 843-0247. If unsure if medication is from a recalled lot, a pharmacist can assist in determining this.
It is essential to note that it is not safe to discontinue medication without consulting your physician first. Although long-term ingestion of N-nitroso-quinapril may be associated with an increased cancer risk in humans, there is no immediate risk to patients taking this medication.
Nitrosamines can be found in cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and some foods cooked at high heat levels. It is a common contaminant in various medications due to manufacturing processes that may introduce these impurities.
In summary, while the potential for health risks from nitrosamine impurities exists in blood pressure drugs generally, there is no specific evidence currently indicating a known harmful level of nitrosamines in Accuretic or quinapril/hydrochlorothiazide tablets. Patients should continue using prescribed medications but consult healthcare providers with any concerns, especially as regulatory reviews and testing continue.
- Chronic diseases and health-and-wellness are of great importance, as long-term exposure to nitrosamines, a probable human carcinogen, has been identified in contaminated medical-conditions drugs like blood pressure medications.
- In the case of recalled blood pressure medications, such as Accuretic (quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide) and quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide tablets, it's crucial for patients to stay updated on any nitrosamine impurities that may pose a cancer risk, and follow guidance from healthcare providers when necessary.
