The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says more than half a million bottles of the blood pressure medication prazosin hydrochloride have been recalled after tests revealed potential contamination with a cancer-causing chemical.

New Jersey-based Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and Amerisource Health Services initiated voluntary nationwide recalls earlier this month, covering more than 580,000 bottles of prazosin capsules in various strengths, according to the FDA.

Prazosin is commonly prescribed to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. It is also sometimes used to treat nightmares and other sleep-related symptoms in patients with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The FDA classified the recall as Class II, meaning the affected lots pose a risk that could lead to temporary or medically reversible health problems, and in rare cases, serious harm. The agency said the recalled medication may contain nitrosamine impurities, a group of chemicals considered potentially carcinogenic.

According to the FDA, N-nitrosamine impurities can form during the manufacturing process or storage of a drug. The agency has been working with pharmaceutical companies in recent years to identify and reduce these impurities across multiple medications.

What consumers should do

Patients taking prazosin should check the medication’s bottle for the manufacturer’s name, lot number, and expiration date. If the bottle matches one of the recalled lots, they should stop using the medication and contact their pharmacist or healthcare provider immediately for guidance on alternative treatments.
Consumers can also visit the FDA’s website for the full list of affected lots or contact Teva Pharmaceuticals’ customer service line for more information about returns or replacements.