Drugmakers recall blood pressure medicine tainted with cancer-causing chemical, FDA says

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says drugmakers have recalled more than a half-million bottles of the blood pressure medication prazosin hydrochloride over concerns it may include a cancer-causing chemical. New Jersey-based Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and drugs distributor Amerisource Health Services issued voluntary nationwide recalls earlier this month of more than 580,000 bottles of various strengths of prazosine capsules, according to the FDA."

"The FDA said in enforcement orders posted online that it has given the affected lots of the drug a Class II risk classification because some of the recalled medication may have nitrosamine impurities that are considered potentially cancer causing. According to the FDA, N-nitrosamine impurities are a class of potentially cancer-causing chemicals that can form during manufacture or storage of a drug."

Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Amerisource Health Services issued voluntary nationwide recalls of over 580,000 bottles of prazosin hydrochloride capsules in various strengths. Prazosin relaxes blood vessels and is prescribed to lower blood pressure and to treat nightmares and other sleep disturbances related to post-traumatic stress disorder. The recalled lots received a Class II risk classification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because some medication may contain nitrosamine impurities, which are considered potentially cancer-causing. N-nitrosamine impurities can form during manufacture or storage of a drug. The recalls are being managed under FDA enforcement orders.

Read at ABC7 Los Angeles