Pfizer Recalls Blood Pressure Drug Over Potential Cancer Risk: Everything You Need to Know

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer has been forced to recall blood pressure medications due to alleged carcinogen content, an agent that could cause cancer in individuals and be made naturally.

The company has ordered 11 batches of blood pressure medication quinapril and quinapril HCI/hydrochlorothiazide made by Pfizer, sold under a brand name, and distributed as authorized generics to be recalled. The brand name for quinapril is Accuretic, and six lots were recalled while four lots of generic HCI/hydrochlorothiazide were ordered to be returned.

Pfizer's Blood Pressure Medications

The primary reason for the decision is that the nitrosamine, N-nitroso-quinapril, is above the Federal Drug Association's (FDA) accepted daily intake level. While Pfizer's recall notice said that nitrosamine is commonly found in water and food, it also noted that "these impurities may increase the risk of cancer" if individuals are exposed to them in great quantities over a period of time.

The medications are usually prescribed to individuals for treatment of hypertension in an attempt to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as strokes and myocardial infarctions. Pfizer said that the recall was voluntary, noting that it has not received any reports of adverse events related to the drugs, as per NPR.

But for people who have and are using the recalled tablets, it does not mean you will immediately or in the near future get cancer. The best thing to do would be to stop taking them and make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss a different treatment to mitigate the chances of adverse effects on your health.

For consumers and patients who are taking the recalled drugs, Sedgwick can be called as it can inform you how to return your tablets and get a refund. For distributors or wholesalers, you should contact your customers and ask them to return the drugs to you and then coordinate with Sedgwick for the recall.

Cancer-Causing Impurities

According to the Miami Herald, if taking the drug causes any sort of problem with your health, you should notify a medical professional and let the FDA know through its MedWatch Adverse Event page. You can also fill out a form to describe the situation before notifying the drug company.

Nitrosamines are frequently found in cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and vegetables, making them extremely common. Despite the heightened risk for cancer, Pfizer said that there are no known immediate risks to patients who are taking the drug.

The pharmaceutical company also recalled its anti-smoking treatment, Chantix, last year due to high levels of nitrosamine found in the pills. In Canada, the company also recalled Accuretic earlier this month for the presence of the same impurities, Reuters reported.

Pfizer is known to be one of the manufacturers of the live-saving coronavirus vaccines and is at the forefront of the fight against the health crisis. Both it and another manufacturer, Moderna, said it was already time for another coronavirus booster shot to fend off the rising number of infections, but vaccine experts are skeptical of the idea.