Macleods Pharmaceuticals has recalled one lot of blood pressure and heart medication called Losartan over the presence of a carcinogen, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA). It has joined the other companies that have recalled some lot of its Losartan, Valsartan or Irbesartan over the traces of carcinogen.
Although the NDEA is found naturally in many places, the International Agency for Research on Cancer considers it a possible human carcinogen that is capable of causing cancer. However, last month, the FDA stated that the actual risk of cancer by taking blood pressure medications such as Losartan, Valsartan or Irbesartan is low.
According to Macleods’ recall notice that is shared on the FDA’s website, the recalled 100 mg/25 mg Losartan and Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide tablets were found to contain traces of NDEA.
Still, Macleods is pulling out one lot of 100mg/25mg Losartan and Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide tablets in 90-count bottles that contain more NDEA than the acceptable daily intake levels proposed by the FDA.
It is yanking a lot No. BLM715A with an expiry date of July 2019. The drug was manufactured in India.
The recall notice of Macleods Pharmaceuticals tells people the same thing that other companies’ notices have, which is until you have an alternative treatment with your physician, keep using the Losartan. If you stop the treatment, there is a greater risk.
Until now, there have been more than 15 recalls of the blood pressure and heart medications Losartan, Valsartan and Irbesartan, which are found to contain traces of NDEA or another probable carcinogen, such as N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). The recalled blood pressure drugs belong to the family of pharmacological agents called Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs), which act by relaxing the blood vessels.
