The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that more than 500,000 bottles of blood pressure medication have been recalled because they contain high levels of compounds that can cause cancer.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, based in Parsippany, New Jersey, recalled 580,844 bottles of Prazosin Hydroclide earlier this month.
This medication is an alpha blocker taken to lower high blood pressure.
Last week, the FDA said tests had detected high levels of “N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C” in the drug.
The concentration of the chemical was so high that it exceeded FDA safety standards for its potential to cause cancer.
Multiple versions of the drug, including 1 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg doses, are included in the recall, which affects bottles ranging from 100 to 1,000 capsules.
The FDA recently classified this recall as Level II, the second highest of three risk levels.
The Class II label indicates that use of the drug “may result in temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or when the likelihood of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
“This recall was initiated in cooperation with the FDA, and to date Teva has not received any complaints related to this product,” Teva Pharmaceuticals USA said in a statement.
“Prazosin is used to treat high blood pressure, lower blood pressure, and there are many alternative treatments available to patients.”
The drugmaker said patients should contact the pharmacy that filled their prescription and the health care provider who prescribed it.
