Pfizer recalls blood pressure drugs including Accuretic for cancer risk due to nitrosamine

Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY
·3 min read

Pfizer is recalling multiple blood pressure medications due to elevated levels of nitrosamine, which can increase the risk of cancer.

The company said it is voluntarily recalling six lots of Accuretic tablets that it distributed, one lot of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and four lots of quinapril HCl/ hydrochlorothiazide tablets, because the level of nitrosamine was above the acceptable daily intake.

Nitrosamines are common in water and foods, including cured and grilled meats, dairy products and vegetables, Pfizer said in its recall notice.

"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 company said.

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Last September, Pfizer recalled all lots of Chantix smoking cessation drug for high levels of nitrosamine.

Pfizer said it is “not aware of reports of adverse events that have been assessed to be related to this recall.”

“Although long- term ingestion of N-nitroso-quinapril may be associated with a potential increased cancer risk in humans, there is no immediate risk to patients taking this medication,” Pfizer said.

Health care professionals advise patients to consult with their doctors or pharmacists before discontinuing one of the recalled blood pressure medicines or finding an alternative treatment.

Discontinuing a recalled drug could cause more immediate harm than staying on the medication.

Blood pressure medicine recall

The affected items are 90-count bottles.

Accuretic (quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide) tablets, 10/12.5 mg

  • NDC: 0071-3112-23; Lot number: FG5379; Expiration date: August 2024

  • NDC: 0071-0222-23; Lot number: EA6686; April 2022

Accuretic (quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide) tablets, 20/12.5 mg

  • NDC: 0071-5212-23; Lot number: FG5381; Expiration date: August 2024

  • NDC: 0071-0220-23; Lot number: EA6665; Expiration date: April 2022

  • NDC: 0071-0220-23; Lot number: CN0640; Expiration date: April 2022

Accuretic (quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide) tablets, 20/25 mg

  • NDC: 0071-0223-23; Lot number: ET6974; Expiration date: February 2023

Quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets, 20/25 mg:

  • NDC: 59762-5225-9; Lot number: FE3714; Expiration date: February 2023

Quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide tablets, 20/12.5 mg:

  • NDC: 59762-0220-1; Lot number: DN6931; Expiration date: March 2023

  • NDC: 59762-0220-1; Lot number: ED3904; Expiration date: March 2023

  • NDC: 59762-0220-1; Lot number: ED3905; Expiration date: March 2023

Quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide tablets, 20/25 mg

  • NDC: 59762-5225-9; Lot number: FE3714; Expiration date: February 2023

What to do if you take the recalled blood pressure medication

According to Pfizer, patients who are taking one of the affected products should consult with their healthcare provider or pharmacy to determine if they have the affected product.

Patients with the affected product can call 888-843-0247 on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET for instructions on how to return their product and obtain reimbursement for their cost.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pfizer recall 2022: Blood pressure drugs recalled for nitrosamine