Cancer causing high blood pressure drug recalled: Prazosin Hydrochloride. What did the FDA decide?

What is Prazosin Hydrochloride

Prazosin Hydrochloride is a prescription medication belonging to a class of drugs called alpha-blockers (specifically, alpha-1 adrenergic receptor antagonists). It is primarily used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) by relaxing the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily through the body. 

Does Prazosin Hydrochloride cause Cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports that over 500,000 bottles of the blood pressure drug prazosin hydrochloride have been recalled due to possible contamination with a cancer-causing substance.

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, based in New Jersey, and distributor Amerisource Health Services initiated voluntary nationwide recalls earlier this month, covering more than 580,000 bottles of prazosin capsules in multiple strengths, according to FDA data.

Prazosin is prescribed to relax blood vessels and reduce blood pressure. It is also used to treat nightmares and sleep issues linked to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The FDA classified the recall as a Class II risk, indicating that some batches may contain nitrosamine impurities — chemicals that could increase the risk of cancer with long-term exposure.

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580,000 bottles of a blood pressure drug recalled over cancer risk

The Federal Drug Administration said drugmakers have recalled more than 580,000 bottles of a blood pressure medication over concerns that it may include a cancer-causing chemical.

New Jersey-based drugmaker Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and drug distributor Amerisource Health Services issued voluntary nationwide recalls earlier this month of over half a million bottles of various strengths of prazosine capsules, according to the FDA.

The capsule drug, known as prazosin hydrochloride, comes in 1 mg, 2 mg and 5 mg doses. It helps relax blood vessels to facilitate blood flow and is sometimes prescribed for nightmares and other sleep disturbances caused by post-traumatic stress disorder.

Teva Pharmaceuticals did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read full article from CBS news.

Blood Pressure Medication Recalled: More Than 580,000 Bottles Affected

This article used AI tools to compile recall data. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Two pharmaceutical companies have issued voluntary nationwide recalls of prazosin hydrochloride capsules because the pills contain an impurity in amounts that exceed the acceptable safety limit, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Read full article from AARP.

Closing

According to the FDA, N-nitrosamine impurities are a class of potentially cancer-causing chemicals that can form during manufacture or storage of a drug.

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