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Pfizer recalls blood pressure drug that can cause cancer

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Pfizer’s headquarters is in New York, USA. Photo: Getty Images

According to RT (Russia), the decision to recall was made after the regulatory authorities discovered that the drug contained high levels of nitrosamines. Nitrosamine is a possible carcinogen. Officials recommend that people who are taking the blood pressure drug Accuretic to prevent stroke and heart attack should look for alternatives.

Specifically, several batches of Accuretic and two other versions of this drug (quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide) were found to have higher levels of N-nitroso-quinapril than the acceptable levels set by the drug regulator. Pfizer has provided batch numbers and other information to identify batches of drugs that contain substances hazardous to human health.

These substances are often found in foods in small amounts, such as pickles, smoked meats, processed foods, canned foods, dairy products…. Consuming a lot of food, exposed to the above impurities in a short period of time. Long term can increase the risk of esophageal and stomach cancer.

“Although everyone is exposed to some degree of nitrosamines, these impurities can increase cancer risk if they are used above acceptable levels for long periods of time,” warns Pfizer.

Pfizer did not specify how much nitrosamine was detected in batches of blood pressure pills. However, the company says the drug has a safety record that has been licensed for more than 20 years and undergoes a rigorous clinical trial program.

“Based on available data, Pfizer believes the benefits/risk profiles of the products remain positive,” the company statement said. The recall is completely voluntary and is being conducted with oversight by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Accuretic and its versions are often prescribed to patients with high blood pressure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications, such as stroke and heart attack.

Pfizer adds that patients taking Accuretic should consult with their doctor about alternative treatment options. Authorities also advised wholesalers and distributors of the drug to “immediately stop using, distributing and quarantining the product.”

Pfizer, the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical giant headquartered in New York, manufactures a wide variety of drugs. For the past two years, Pfizer has been known as the leading manufacturer of a COVID-19 vaccine using mRNA technology.

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