Another Recall Expanded For Blood Pressure Drug

Multiple recalls for various blood pressure drugs have been issued in recent months. Another recall was just expanded, leaving many patients scrambling to check their bottles and obtain replacement drugs.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals has expanded its recall of losartan potassium and losartan potassium/hydrocholorothiazide tablets. Tests found a cancer-causing impurity in some of the drugs. The impurity is called N-methylnitrosobutyric acid. The company is recalling 36 additional lots of the drugs.

Fortunately, no one has gotten sick from the issue, but the impurity in the drugs is above what the FDA considers an acceptable daily intake level. Losartan is prescribed for patients who have high blood pressure and for Type 2 diabetics with nephropathy. For patients who take these drugs, even the ones that have been recalled, the FDA advises to continue taking them, but to talk to a doctor or pharmacist immediately about an alternative.

This recall is related to the valsartan recall, which was first issued last July but has been expanded multiple times since then. A Chinese company made a tainted ingredient which was contained in most of the pills that have been recalled. The ingredient is used in gasoline as a stabilizer and as a lubricant additive. The FDA believes that the cancer risk is low for patients who took the contaminated pills.

If you have taken a prescription drug that you believe caused you harm, you should speak with an attorney. We can help. Call us today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.