Popular Blood Pressure Medication Recalled Over Cancer Risks
Pfizer issued a voluntary recall of five lots of popular blood pressure medication Accupril.
The recall was due to the presence of high levels of nitrosamines, a potentially cancer-causing impurity.
This comes after Pfizer recalled the same medication and two of its generic versions over the same cancer-causing impurity in March.
It’s time to double check your medicine cabinet—Pfizer announced a voluntary recall of lots of popular blood pressure medications. On Friday, April 22, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Pfizer is voluntarily recalling lots of Accupril (Quinapril HCl) nationwide in a company announcement. The medication was recalled due to the presence of a nitrosamine, N-nitroso-quinapril—impurities that may increase the risk of cancer after prolonged exposure above acceptable levels.
Accupril is a treatment for hypertension and helps to lower blood pressure. The drug is also prescribed to manage heart failure when taken with conventional therapies, like diuretics or digitalis.
Five lots of the Accupril tablets are part of the recall and were distributed nationwide in the United States and Puerto Rico from December 2019 to April 2022. Impacted medications include:
Accupril (Quinapril HCl Tablets), 10 mg, 90 count bottle expiring March 31, 2023, with a lot number of DR9639
Accupril (Quinapril HCl Tablets), 20 mg, 90 count bottle expiring March 31, 2023, with a lot number of DX8682
Accupril (Quinapril HCl Tablets), 20 mg, 90 count bottle expiring March 31, 2022, with a lot number of DG1188
Accupril (Quinapril HCl Tablets), 40 mg, 90 count bottle expiring March 31, 2023, with lots numbers DX6031
Accupril (Quinapril HCl Tablets), 40 mg, 90 count bottle expiring March 31, 2022, with a lot number of CK6260
Patients with affected lots should speak with their doctor before stopping use of the medication. At this time, Pfizer has not reported any adverse effects of taking the medication related to the recall. There is no immediate risk to patients taking the medication, but if you regularly take Accupril, the FDA suggests consulting your healthcare provider for an alternative. If you believe you are having an adverse reaction to the medication, you may report the incident to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program.
Pfizer recommends that any wholesaler or distributor with an existing inventory of the impacted medication should stop distributing and quarantine the product. This may include products given free through the Pfizer Patient Assistance Program (PAP) or the Pfizer Institutional patient Assistance Program (IPAP).
If you believe to have an impacted product, Pfizer recommends checking your stock immediately and contacting Sedgwick at 888-345-0481 for instructions about returning the product. Contact your healthcare provider or pharmacy immediately for assistance and for information about other treatment options.
What is nitrosamine?
Everyone is exposed to some level of nitrosamines and they are very common in water and foods. Nitrosamines are often found in cured and grilled meats, dairy products, and vegetables, according to the FDA. If exposed to them above acceptable levels over long periods of time, the FDA warns they may increase your risk of cancer.
According to the FDA, nitrosamines may be present in drugs due to the manufacturing process or chemical structure of the medication. Additionally, conditions in which the medication was stored or packaged may impact the levels.
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