Last year we reported the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put doctors and patients on high alert after several drugs that were made in China were found to contain a possible human carcinogen.
Three US-based companies have agreed to stop selling specific medications that contain valsartan – an ingredient commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
You might be one of about 75 million American adults (29%) that have high blood pressure (hypertension). That’s 1 in every 3 American adults that should be on alert.
This year, there are more recalls to be aware of.
Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc. just announced it is recalling 80 lots of its Amlodipine Valsartan, Valsartan HCTZ, and Valsartan tablets.
The tablets contain the chemical N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified as a “probably human carcinogen.”
In December, officials at Mylan said the pharmaceutical company would recall all lots of its blood pressure medication valsartan.
Teva Pharmaceuticals also announced they were voluntarily recalling two blood pressure medications due to an impurity that has been detected above “specification limits.”
The Teva products are Amlodipine/Valsartan combination tablets and Amlodipiine/Valsartan/Hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
In late October, officials at the FDA announced they were adding a brand of drugs sold under the RemedyRepack to the list of medications recalled due to the ingredient in question.
In late August, Accord Healthcare Inc. disclosed it was voluntarily recalling a specific lot of blood pressure medication after discovering a bottle had the wrong pills in it.
The 100-pill bottle was supposed to have Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP 12.5 mg. Instead, it was filled with Spironolactone Tablets USP 25 mg. That medication is used to treat congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver, among other ailments.
FDA officials told USA Today that the effects of taking this incorrect medication range from “limited” to “life threatening,” depending on the individual.
Multiple companies have voluntarily recalled their medications, including valsartan from Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare, and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd., as well as valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide from Solco and Teva.
These affected drugs are all generic versions of brand name Diovan, which is made by Novartis International AG. Diovan and generic versions made by other companies are not included in the recall.
What to Do
No major reports of serious illness regarding the recalls have been reported as of this writing. Most of the companies have been voluntarily stopping the distribution of these drugs as a precautionary measure.
Still, Theodoros & Rooth urges anyone taking a blood pressure medication, to contact their doctor or pharmacist, just to be safe.
If you or a loved one have been injured or harmed as a result of medical negligence, please contact us immediately. Theodoros & Rooth can quickly investigate your issue and will take legal action if we determine you have a case. We have well over a century of combined experience with personal injury caused by the fault of others.