Blood Pressure Recall: Irbesartan Brings Cancer Risk

Trace amounts of a carcinogen revealed in testing has forced a drug company to recall irbesartan blood pressure medication, USA Today reported.

Prinston Pharmaceuticals found unacceptable levels of nitrosodiethylamine, a probable carcinogan, in the medication, recalling seven lots of irbesartan HCTZ tablets and one  irbesartan tablets, according to the report.

The tablets were manufactured in China at Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals, which has been linked to several recalls of blood pressure medication since July, according to USA Today.

All new drug shipments from Zhejiang Huahai has been halted by the Food and Drug Administration, which issued the warning letter. India's Hetero Labs Limited has also been tied to multiple recalls, per the report.

Here are the tablets in the Prinston Pharmaceuticals recall, according to USA Today:

• Irbesartan, 300 mg, 90 count, lot number 331B18009, expires February 2021.
• Irbesartan HCTZ, 300 mg/12.5 mg, 30 count, lot number 327A18001, expires March 2021.
• Irbesartan HCTZ, 300 mg/12.5 mg, lot number 327A18002, expires March 2021.
• Irbesartan HCTZ, 300 mg/12.5 mg, 90 count, lot number 327B18008, expires March 2021.
• Irbesartan HCTZ, 300 mg/12.5 mg, 90 count, lot number 327B18009, expires March 2021.
• Irbesartan HCTZ, 150 mg/12.5mg 30 count, lot number 325D18004, expires March 2021.
• Irbesartan HCTZ, 150 mg/12.5 mg, 90 count, lot number 325B18004, expires March 2021.
• Irbesartan HCTZ, 150 mg /12.5 mg, 30 count, lot number 325D18005 expires March 2021.

Consult your physician before stopping your medication, because stopping medication might do more immediate harm, the company advised.

Check the FDA's website for a full list of recalled drugs or ask your pharmacist.

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