Samples of the blood pressure medication ‘showed presence’ of another drug used to treat cholesterol
A popular blood pressure medication has been recalled(Image: Getty)
A frequently used blood pressure medication has been recalled due to concerns that it might be cross-contaminated with another drug. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc. in the US has recalled over 11,100 bottles of bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets under the brand name Ziac.
This is due to fears that the tablets might have been cross contaminated with other products, according to a recall notice published by the Food and Drug administration. Bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide are commonly used to treat high blood pressure.
This is also known as hypertension, by blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart, and allowing it to come back down to a regular heartbeat, according to WebMD. The drug also increases urination to extract sodium and water from the body, as well as relaxes blood vessels to encourage lower blood pressure and reduce risk of a heart attack or stroke.
The recall notice detailed that testing of reserve samples “showed presence of ezetimibe,” which is a drug used to treat high cholesterol. The December 1 recall was listed as Class III. The FDA advised that use or exposure to the product is is “not likely to cause adverse health consequences”.
The FDA announced a recall of a commonly used blood pressure medication (Image: Getty)
The affected pills are distributed in 2.5mg and 6.25mg doses, according to the agency. Specific packages impacted include 30-count bottles NDC-68462-878-30, 100-count bottles NDC-68462-878-01 and 500-count bottles NDC-68462-878-05, according to the recall.
The affected lot numbers have expirations dates which span from November 2025 to May 2026. A total of 11,136 bottles have been impacted in the recall.
The FDA did not state what patients should do if their medication is affected by the recall.
However, according to GoodRx, anyone impacted by a drug recall is urged to check their medication’s lot number, contact their pharmacist and prescriber and dispose of the recalled medication.
In terms of recent major recalls in the UK, Tesco have recently pulled one Christmas food item from shelves due to a potential health risk.
The supermarket issued a recall for its Tesco 6 Aubergine Katsu Bao Buns earlier this week on Monday, December 8.
The aubergine katsu bao buns may contain undeclared milk(Image: Tesco )
The party snack may contain undeclared milk, posing as “a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to milk or milk constituents.”
An allergy alert published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised that the recall includes all of the supermarket’s 258g packs of the bao buns.
Shoppers are being told to look for all the dates up to and including December 13, 2025.
Tesco customers who have purchased the bao buns have been warned “do not eat”, especially if they have an intolerance or allergy to dairy products.
Instead, they are being asked to return the bao buns to any store where they will be provided with a full refund and no receipt required.