Yikes! This Blood Pressure Medication Is Being Recalled Because It May ‘Increase The Risk Of Cancer’

As reported by Miami Herald, a notable blood pressure medication recall comes from Aurobindo Pharma this week. It involves two lots of Quinapril and Hydrochlorothiazide tablets for having “too much of the nitrosamine impurity N-Nitroso-Quinapril,” the outlet notes. According to the recall notice’s risk statement, impurities found in the recalled drugs could “increase the risk of cancer.” We rounded up other facts you should know:

The concerned lot in the recall includes “Nos. QE2021005-A and QE2021010-A of Quinapril and Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP 20mg / 12.5mg in 90-count bottles from Aurobindo Pharma,” and these have an expiration date of January 2023. The recall—which was written by the company and posted by the The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)— describes these tablets to be “pink colored, scored, round shaped, biconvex, film-coated tablets, debossed with ‘D’ on the scored side and ‘19’ on the other side.”

The recall notice’s risk statement opens as follows, “Nitrosamines are common in water and foods, including cured and grilled meats, dairy products and vegetables. Everyone is exposed to some level of nitrosamines.” It continues, “These impurities may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels over long periods of time.”

While the publication and recall writers stress that you aren’t “in immediate danger,” it’s vital to “reach out to your doctor or pharmacist” in order to discuss whether to keep taking this very medication “until a replacement treatment is decided.” If you any have questions regaarding returning the recalled drugs, you are instructed to call Qualanex, “which is handling the recall for Aurobindo,” at 888-504-2014. They are available to chat Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., EST.

If these or any other drugs are causing a problem, after notifying a medical professional, you should “let the FDA know via its MedWatch Adverse Event page” or through filling out a form that you can get by calling 800-332-1088. Then, you are asked to notify the manufacturer, Aurobindo in this case, at 866-850-2876 (Option 2). This is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, or you can also email: pvg@aurobindousa.com.