The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified a nationwide recall of more than 580,000 bottles of prazosin hydrochloride blood pressure medication as Class II risk level, following the discovery of cancer-causing impurities that exceed acceptable safety limits.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA Inc., based in Parsippany, New Jersey, initiated the voluntary recall on October 7 for prazosin hydrochloride capsules in 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg strengths. The FDA elevated the classification to Class II on October 24, indicating that use of the contaminated product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, though the probability of serious adverse health consequences is considered remote.
Contamination Details and Health Risks
The recalled medication contains nitrosamine impurities identified as "N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C" that were found above acceptable intake limits. According to the FDA, exposure to this contaminated product could lead to severe adverse health consequences.
Nitrosamines represent a class of known carcinogens that typically do not cause harm when ingested at low levels. However, the impurities may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels over extended periods of time.
Scope of Recall
The recall encompasses a substantial distribution of prazosin hydrochloride capsules across multiple dosage strengths:
- 1 mg capsules: 181,659 bottles recalled
- 2 mg capsules: 291,512 bottles recalled
- 5 mg capsules: 107,673 bottles recalled
The affected bottles contain varying quantities of capsules, ranging from 100 to 1,000 capsules per bottle, and were distributed nationwide through standard pharmaceutical distribution channels.
Clinical Applications
Prazosin hydrochloride received FDA approval for treating high blood pressure, functioning by relaxing blood vessels to improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure. The medication is also frequently prescribed off-label to help manage symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly nightmares and sleep problems.
Ongoing Recall Status
The recall remains active according to the FDA's enforcement report. While neither Teva Pharmaceuticals nor the FDA have issued specific guidance regarding disposal of the recalled medication, standard pharmaceutical recall protocols typically advise patients to check their medication's lot number, contact their pharmacist and prescriber, and properly dispose of recalled medication.
The recall represents a significant pharmaceutical safety action, affecting hundreds of thousands of medication bottles distributed to patients nationwide who rely on prazosin for blood pressure management and PTSD symptom control.
