Blood Pressure Medication Recalled: Over 580,000 Bottles Contain Cancer-Causing Chemical

In a significant public health alert issued just today, Teva Pharmaceuticals has recalled more than 580,000 bottles of the blood pressure medication Prazosin Hydrochloride due to elevated levels of a potentially cancer-causing chemical Houston ChronicleLiveNOW from FOX. This nationwide recall affects hundreds of thousands of patients, particularly military veterans who commonly use this medication. Understanding the Prazosin Hydrochloride Recall The voluntary recall was issued by New Jersey-based Teva Pharmaceuticals for its prazosin hydrochloride capsules LiveNOW from FOX, which are primarily prescribed to treat hypertension. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the recall this week, classifying it as a Class II incident on October 24 The Healthy. What Is Prazosin Hydrochloride? Prazosin hydrochloride capsules are prescribed to treat high blood pressure, but can also be effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-related nightmares LiveNOW from FOX, according to the National Institutes of Health. A report released by Scientific American found that as many as 20 percent of U.S. military veterans treated through the Department of Veterans Affairs take prazosin NTD. The drug is designed to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow LiveNOW from FOX. An alpha blocker is a type of medication that blocks a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow, thereby relaxing muscles in the blood vessel walls and widening them NTD. The Danger: Cancer-Causing Nitrosamine Impurities The reason for this urgent recall centers on a serious safety concern. The drugs were discovered to contain nitrosamine impurities known as "N-nitroso Prazosin Impurity C" which were above acceptable limits The Healthy. This means that the capsules contained higher-than-safe concentrations of toxic chemical compounds called nitrosamines, which could eventually increase cancer risk when taken at high doses over long periods of time The Healthy. Should You Be Worried? While the presence of carcinogenic substances sounds alarming, health authorities emphasize perspective. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified it as a Class II risk level, meaning use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote LiveNOW from FOX. The FDA notes that a person taking a drug that contains nitrosamines at or below the acceptable daily intake limits every day for 70 years is not expected to have an increased risk of cancer The Healthy. However, the recalled bottles exceed these safety thresholds. Which Medications Are Affected? The recall includes bottles with 1 mg capsules, 2 mg capsules and 5 mg capsules LiveNOW from FOX. More than 580,000 bottles were recalled, including 181,659 1 mg bottles, 291,512 2 mg bottles and 107,673 5 mg bottles LiveNOW from FOX. Specific Lot Numbers and Expiration Dates According to the FDA notice, patients should check their medication bottles for the following information: 1 mg capsules: Lot #3010544A and #3010545A with expiration date October 2025 The Healthy Lot #3010601A, 3010602A, 3010603A with expiration date March 2026 The Healthy Lot #3010652A, 3010670A, 3010671A The Healthy 2 mg capsules: Lot #3010430A with expiration date November 2025 The Healthy Lot #3010613A with expiration date August 2026 The Healthy 5 mg capsules: Lot #3010406A with expiration date February 2026 The Healthy Critical: Do NOT Stop Taking Your Medication This is perhaps the most important message for patients: do not abruptly discontinue your blood pressure medication without medical guidance. While the risk of developing cancer related to nitrosamine impurities is low, the risk of abruptly stopping your medications is high The Healthy. Medical experts warn that some patients will experience withdrawal symptoms, while others may experience rebound hypertension—a sudden blood pressure spike that could cause adverse heart events. The FDA advises that patients taking prescription medications with potential nitrosamine impurities should not stop taking their medications, and should talk to their health care professionals about concerns and other treatment options The Healthy. What Patients Should Do Right Now If you're taking Prazosin Hydrochloride capsules, follow these important steps: Check your medication bottle for the lot numbers and expiration dates listed above Contact your healthcare provider immediately to discuss alternative treatment options Do not stop taking your medication until you've consulted with your doctor Contact your pharmacist for guidance on safe disposal of recalled pills and obtaining replacement medication Report any adverse effects to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program The Broader Context: Blood Pressure Medication Recalls Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident. Earlier this year, another blood pressure medication faced recall issues. Spironolactone blood pressure tablets were recalled in August 2025 after finding possible aluminum contamination, also classified as a Class II recall The Educated Patient. These recalls underscore the importance of medication safety monitoring and the FDA's ongoing vigilance in protecting public health. The good news is that the system is working—contamination is being detected and addressed before widespread harm occurs. Understanding Class II Recalls It's helpful to understand what a Class II recall means for patient safety. A Class II recall is a scenario where a product, drug, or food may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or it includes an outcome where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote NTD. This classification indicates that while the issue is serious enough to warrant a recall, the immediate health risk to most patients is considered low, especially with appropriate medical guidance. Moving Forward: Ensuring Your Safety The recall serves as a reminder for all patients taking prescription medications to: Regularly check FDA recall notices at FDA.gov Keep medication in original bottles with lot numbers visible Maintain open communication with your healthcare provider about any concerns Never discontinue prescription medications without medical supervision Stay informed about your medications and potential alternatives The recall, which was initiated voluntarily by Teva Pharmaceuticals, started on October 7 NTD, and remains ongoing as the company works to notify all affected customers. Questions and Support If you believe you may be taking the affected drugs, contact your doctor to discuss your best course of action The Healthy. Your healthcare provider can help you transition to an alternative medication safely while ensuring your blood pressure remains controlled. For veterans taking prazosin for PTSD-related symptoms, it's especially important to coordinate with your VA healthcare team, as discontinuing this medication can affect both blood pressure management and mental health symptom control. The FDA continues to monitor the situation closely, and patients can report any unexpected side effects through the FDA's MedWatch program. While medication recalls can be concerning, they demonstrate the robust safety systems in place to protect public health. Remember: the greatest risk isn't from the recalled medication itself when taken properly, but from stopping blood pressure medication abruptly without medical guidance. Your healthcare provider is your best resource for navigating this recall safely.