Yes — recently nearly 600,000 bottles of a commonly prescribed blood pressure medication were voluntarily pulled from the U.S. market after regulators warned they may be contaminated with a potentially cancer‑causing chemical. (RTTNews)
📌 What happened
- The drug involved: Prazosin hydrochloride — a generic medication widely used to treat high blood pressure and also prescribed off‑label for nightmares and sleep issues linked to PTSD. (RTTNews)
- Who recalled it: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Amerisource Health Services issued a voluntary nationwide recall after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) flagged the issue. (ABC7 Los Angeles)
- How many bottles: More than 580,000 bottles of prazosin capsules in various strengths have been recalled across the country. (RTTNews)
📌 Why it was pulled
The FDA’s concern centers on nitrosamine impurities — chemical compounds that can form during drug manufacturing and are associated with an increased cancer risk in high or prolonged exposures. The levels found in these lots exceeded acceptable thresholds, prompting the recall. (RTTNews)
📌 FDA classification
The recall has been classified as a Class II action, which means that the drug may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects and the probability of serious adverse effects is remote, but the issue is still taken seriously enough to remove the product until it’s resolved. (RTTNews)
📌 What patients should do
- Don’t stop medication on your own. Patients taking prazosin should contact their doctor or pharmacist to confirm whether their specific supply is part of the recall and to discuss safe alternatives.
- Check lot numbers. The FDA recall notice lists specific lot numbers and expiration dates for the affected bottles — your pharmacist can help verify if your medication is included.
- Report issues. If you’ve experienced symptoms you think may be related to the medication, contact your healthcare provider promptly.
If you’d like, I can share the specific lot numbers and expiry dates of the recalled prazosin bottles so you can check against those — just let me know!
