The FDA has recalled some products that contain Valsartan due to levels of impurity over the past four years. Valsartan is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Not all products that contain Valsartan were recalled by the FDA.
The recalled products contain carcinogen, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), and were manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals in China. Some levels of the carcinogen may have been in the valsartan-containing products for as long as four years.
What Should Patients Know?
· Continue taking your current medicine until your doctor or pharmacist gives you a replacement or a different treatment option.
· Not all valsartan-containing medications are affected and being recalled.
· If you are taking any medication containing valsartan, compare the information on your prescription bottle with the information in this list (company, National Drug Code, lot number) to determine if your current medicine has been recalled. If you are not certain, contact your pharmacist.
· If you have medicine included in the recall, contact your pharmacist. The pharmacist may be able to provide you with valsartan made by another company. If not, contact your doctor immediately to discuss other treatment options.