This week, a major drug manufacturer issued a recall for their blood pressure medication Quinapril due to an alarming discovery – traces of cancer-causing impurities. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported this concerning news, urging all users of the product to discontinue immediately.
Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. said it has taken the initiative of voluntarily recalling four lots of its Quinapril tablets due to levels of nitrosamine being above the acceptable daily intake level set by regulators. The corporation reported that it had ceased advertising Quinapril tablets back in September 2022.
According to the announcement, the firm has said there have been no reports of illnesses related to the impurity issue. A contamination was identified in the 20 and 40 mg tablets of this medication that were distributed to multiple areas across America. The impacted lot numbers are G102929, G100533, G100534 and G203071 with expiration dates ranging from April 2023 to December 2022 and March 2024.
“Nitrosamines are common in water and foods, including cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and vegetables. Everyone is exposed to some level of nitrosamines. These impurities may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels over long periods of time,” the recall announcement said.
This angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor is used to effectively manage hypertension and reduce blood pressure. Lupin advised that individuals utilizing their drug should carry on taking it and consult with a healthcare professional to explore alternate treatment options.
“Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc. is notifying its wholesalers, distributors, drug chains, mail order pharmacies and supermarkets by phone and through recall notification and is arranging for the return of all the recalled product lots,” the recall notice stated, adding: “Wholesalers, distributors and retailers that have Quinapril Tablets USP, 20mg, and 40mg that are being recalled should discontinue distribution of the recalled product lots immediately.”
Recently, Aurobindo Pharma USA announced it would recall two lots of their blood pressure medication out of an abundance of caution due to the presence of a potentially harmful impurity.
The New Jersey-based firm initiated a recall of 20 milligram and 12.5 milligram quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets after discovering they contained an undisclosed cancer causing chemical. Akin to Lupin, Aurobindo declared that no reports of unfavorable events connected with the medicine had been filed.