Medication Recall: Blood Pressure Drugs Suspended Due to Potential Cancer Hazard
In a recent development, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Pfizer have announced voluntary recalls for specific batches of Quinapril Tablets USP, a blood pressure-lowering medication. The affected lots include those with expiration dates ranging from December 2022 to April 2023.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised pharmacies, drug chains, and supermarkets to discontinue distribution of the affected lots. For reimbursement, the recalled lots should be returned to Inmar Rx Solutions, Inc.
This is not the first time a blood pressure drug has been recalled due to unacceptable levels of nitrosamines. Nitrosamines, known carcinogens, have been detected above acceptable FDA limits in various medications, particularly angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) and other cardiovascular drugs like Quinapril.
The FDA has advised that this recall only affects specific lots of Quinapril Tablets USP, 20 MG and 40 MG, and not the entire product line. The affected Quinapril Tablets USP, 40 MG include Lot No G100533, G203071, and G100534 with expiration dates ranging from December 2022 to March 2024. The affected Quinapril Tablets USP, 20 MG include a specific lot with Lot No G102929 and an expiration date of 04/2023.
Exposure to nitrosamines can increase the risk of cancer if levels are above acceptable limits over long periods of time. Patients taking these medications are advised to contact their pharmacist, physician, or another medical provider for advice on an alternative treatment.
The FDA has terminated this recall as it has been completed. However, consumers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers with questions regarding this recall should contact Inmar Rx Solutions, Inc. at (877) 538-8445 Monday - Friday 09:00 am to 05:00 pm EST.
For more specific information, such as UPC codes, label images, etc., visit the FDA website. It is recommended to consult official FDA recall announcements or the companies' direct recall notifications for the exact list of affected drugs and drug lots by Lupin Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer regarding the latest nitrosamine recall.
In March 2022, Pfizer also performed a voluntary recall for similar medication. Nitrosamines can be found in cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and are formed when some foods are cooked at high heat levels. Adverse reactions or quality problems experienced with the use of this product may be reported to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, or by fax.
The FDA's advice for patients taking the affected Quinapril Tablets USP is to consult with their pharmacist, physician, or another medical provider for alternative treatments. To understand the exact list of affected drug lots by Lupin Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer, it's recommended to visit the FDA website or check the companies' direct recall notifications, which can also provide insights into the health-and-wellness implications. Additionally, science plays a crucial role in investigating the long-term risks associated with nitrosamines, a known carcinogen that has been detected in various medications, including science-based research on the impact of nitrosamines found in cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and other food items.
