logo

Common medication recalled for possible link to cancer

Ksenia Novikova
Jul 12, 2018
01:05 P.M.

Blood pressure medication may poses a potential cancer risk.

Advertisement

Valsartan is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure and to extend the lives of those who've suffered heart attacks, but now the life-saving drug may carry a death sentence, revealed Edition.com on the 6th of July 2018.

Novartis, the company that originally developed Valsartan has declared that the medication which is now off-patent is being used as a component in other generic medicines with uncertain quality and safety.

Sandoz valsartan and valsartan/HCT film-coated tablets are now being recalled in pharmacies throughout the UK since they "do not meet our high-quality standards."

Pharmacies are also being advised to recall valsartan batches containing medicines made by Dexcel Pharma Ltd and Accord Healthcare

Source: Freepiks

Source: Freepiks

Advertisement

" They key with this is, patients should not stop taking their medication abruptly, that definitely can be harmful,"

Dr. Mary Ann Bauman, American Heart Association, Edition.com, 6th of July 2018.

This recall affects 2,300 batches that were sent to Germany, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Bulgaria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, France, Poland, Croatia, Lithuania, Greece, Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bahrain and Malta.

Eric Althoff, the Novartis spokesman in the US has assured the public that the products sold in the United States are not affected by this recall.

The spokeswoman for the US Food and Drug Administration, Sandy Walsh, has confirmed that the agency is aware of the situation and "has no comment at this time."

Advertisement

Walsh declared that the FDA is "committed to informing the public in a timely manner when the agency identifies safety issues", and will not comment on third-party issues or regarding events taking place in areas outside their jurisdiction.

The European Medicines Agency discovered the problem with the medication while reviewing medicines from the supplier, Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals in Linhai, China. The agency explained that the impurity is "a result of a change in the manufacturing process."

Advertisement

The contaminant found present in valsartan is N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), an organic chemical that is a potent carcinogen.

Animal studies have shown that NDMA can cause tumors in the liver, kidney and respiratory tract. Exposure to high levels can cause liver damage and is a probable human carcinogen.

The European Medicines Agency and EU regulators are working to determine what impact this might have on patients and whether other drugs will be affected.

The Finnish Medicines Agency has called on pharmacies and hospitals to stop distributing some varieties of Valsartan. It is estimated that over 20,000 people in Finland use the drug.

Fimea has recommended that patients who use it contact their local pharmacy for substitutes but should not stop taking their medications without consulting their doctors.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
info

The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, and images contained on news.AmoMama.com, or available through news.AmoMama.com is for general information purposes only. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider.

Related posts

How Oprah Winfrey’s Figure Would Look At 70 If She Never Used Weight-Loss Medication: 8 Photos via AI

February 06, 2024

'When I Die': Matthew Perry Revealed His Wish Less Than a Year before Passing Away

October 30, 2023

I Took My Son to the Hospital after Accident and Found Out He Wasn't Really My Son – Story of the Day

January 31, 2024

Arnold Schwarzenegger Held by Customs Authorities at Munich Airport Due to Luxury Watch - Details

January 18, 2024

40 Doctors Share Tales of Patients Who Tried to Fake It and Failed

November 14, 2023

I Brought My Son to the Hospital after Accident and Found Out That He Wasn’t Really My Son – Story of the Day

January 08, 2024

Michael J Fox, 62, Reveals He Doesn't 'Fear' Death amid His over 30-Year Parkinson's Battle

November 06, 2023

Shannen Doherty, 52, Discloses ‘Miracle’ Breakthrough amid Her Cancer Battle

January 29, 2024

Rich Old Man Leaves Young Wife Just a Car, Old Woman Working at Hospital Inherits His Wealth — Story of the Day

February 15, 2024

Couple Leaves Children with Cousin for Restaurant Visit, Are Horrified to See Their House Surrounded by Police on TV — Story of the Day

December 11, 2023

Family Gathered for Old Businessman's Funeral Shocked as They Hear His Voice Emerge from the Coffin – Story of the Day

January 26, 2024

Patients Reveal the Most Awkward Doctor Visit They've Ever Had

January 10, 2024

Sick Grandma of 12 Gets an Organ Donation from Her Daughter — Twice

February 02, 2024

Woman Abandons Her Disabled Child, Can't Recognize Her Years Later When She Returns with a Request

February 03, 2024