Blood Pressure Medication Recall 2019: Cancer-Causing Impurity Initiates Fourth Recall In Four Months

In the fourth recall since December, Torrent Pharmaceuticals (TORNTPHARM.NS) has expanded its blood pressure medication recall to include an additional 104 lots. The recalled medication includes Losartan potassium tablets USP and Losartan potassium/hydrochlorothiazide tablets, USP, which may contain an impurity that could cause cancer.

The blood pressure medication was produced by Hetero Labs Limited and was found to contain N-Methylnitrosobutyric acid (NMBA) above the levels that are considered acceptable by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). NMBA is a potential carcinogen that could cause cancer.

The NMBA impurity affects 36 lots of Losartan potassium tablets USP and 68 lots of Losartan potassium/hydrochlorothiazide tablets, USP. The full list of recalled blood pressure medication can be viewed here. Labels of the recalled blood pressure medication can be viewed here.

Patents should continue to take the recalled blood pressure medication until they receive an alternative treatment plan from their physician or pharmacist. The risk of stopping the medication without an alternative medication in place could cause more harm.

Patients will medical questions about the recall can contact Torrent Pharmaceuticals at 1-800-912-9561, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. Voicemail is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Questions may also be emailed to Medinfo.Torrent@apcerls.com. Adverse effects from the recall can be directed to the same phone number or email address.

Patients that experience any issues from the recalled blood pressure medication should contact their physician or healthcare provider.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals has not received any reports of adverse effects from the recalled medications.

Shares of Torrent Pharmaceutical stock were down 0.14 percent as of 10:43 a.m. ET on Friday.