Losartan Is Recalled for the Fourth Time Since December

Losartan
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Losartan

In late April of 2019, the company Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd., the maker of the blood pressure medicine Losartan, recalled some of their pills. The company said that although there have been no reported cases of sickness from the medication, there is a small risk that some substances inside the pill may cause cancer.

Pills that have the numbers 1326, 1207, or 1069 printed on them were the only three types recalled. The particular pills are potassium and Losartan potassium/hydrochlorothiazide tablets.

This was not the first time that Losartan has been recalled this year. There were four other times since December of 2018.

In early 2019, Torrent Pharmaceuticals sent a letter out to consumers who have been prescribed Losartan informing them of the recall.  The company requested that if they took any of the recalled medications, to speak with their doctor.

On April 19, Torrent Pharmaceuticals told the FDA they recalled 36 lots of their Losartan Potassium pills and 68  lots of their Losartan Potassium/Hydrochlorothiazide pills.

The company stated that it was extending the recall to the “consumer level” because of cancer-causing substances found in the medicine.

Torrent Pharmaceuticals was not the only company who decided to recall their medication. Many companies with medicine containing Angiotensin II receptor blockers, also known as (ARB’s), have recalled their medication as well.

According to MedicineNet, the main uses of the treatment are for hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and congestive heart failure.

Although some companies have recalled certain medication with ARBs, the FDA still recommends that patients who take those particular pills continue the use of the medicine until their doctor or pharmacist prescribes them something different to treat their condition.

Even though the medication is being recalled for cancer-causing substances, medicine is not the only thing that can cause the disease.

There are also certain foods that people are recommended to steer clear of to help reduce the risk of having cancer.

These foods include genetically modified foods, canned foods, red meat, refined sugar, salty foods, sugary drinks, white bread, farmed fish, and many more.

Besides refraining from eating certain foods, there are ways to lower the risk of having cancer.

According to the Mayo Clinic, there are six different ways to do so: Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active, getting protection from the sun, getting vaccinated, avoiding risky behaviors, getting regular medical care, and not using tobacco.

Written by Trinity Oglesby
Edited by Barbara Sobel

Sources:

Healthline: Another Blood Pressure Medication Recalled — Here’s What You Need to Know
Click on Detroit: Recall on blood pressure medication
Mass Live: FDA: Blood pressure meds recall expanded
CNN: Recall of blood pressure drug losartan expanded
MedicineNet: Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Fact Health: 10 Foods that Cause Cancer
Mayo Clinic: Cancer prevention: 7 tips to reduce your risk

Featured and Top Image Courtesy of Alex Dodd’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License

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