Just a few weeks ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that Irbesartan, a blood pressure medication, was being recalled by its manufacturer due to a discovery that it is tainted with impurities that could increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Now, another blood pressure medication called Losartan is being recalled by its manufacturer, Sandoz Inc., due to reports that it’s also contaminated with potentially cancer-causing impurities. The recall encompasses fewer than 1 percent of the national stock of the drug, and the company has not yet received any reports of adverse effects related to the medication.
The recall was initiated when the company discovered that a lot of Losartan—lot number JB8912—was contaminated with a trace amount of N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), an organic and carcinogenic chemical used in the production of liquid rocket fuel. Both Irbesartan and Valsartan were recalled by their manufacturers for similar contamination by the same substance.
If you were prescribed Losartan, Irbesartan, or Valsartan, talk to your doctor about your next steps. Never stop taking a medication without first speaking to your doctor. And if you were injured by a medication, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the drug injury lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller Daniel for a free consultation.