YET ANOTHER BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION RECALLED, COULD CAUSE CANCER

Another company is recalling its blood pressure medication valsartan over concerns that tablets might contain trace amounts of a cancer-causing ingredient.

Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc. is voluntarily recalling 80 lots of its valsartan tablets that might include N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), which is classified as a possible human carcinogen. The announcement, which came on New Year’s Eve, says the company has not received any reports of adverse effects related to the drugs at this time.

Patients who are taking the recalled medication should contact their pharmacist or doctor to find an alternative medication, but should not stop using the tablets until they find a suitable substitute, according to the recall notice. Immediately stopping medication without an alternative could be dangerous. Consumers can contact the company at 1-866-850-2876 or [email protected].

Teva Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled two of its drugs in November over the same concerns. In August, the FDA announced an expanded recall of valsartan because products might contain the impurity.

During a past interview with USA TODAY, FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb said the blood pressure drug recalls reflect an increased focus on drug quality to ensure no impurities are present.

Find a list of all effected Aurobindo Pharma USA vartisan tablets on the FDA website. People can also search the agency’s site for all drugs that have been recalled.