Irbesartan Recall

Drug recalls are actually more common than most people would think. On average, there are over 1,000 drug recalls made by the FDA annually. There are numerous reasons why a drug might be recalled. Like the Zantac recall in 2019, many other drugs were found with cancer-causing impurities. Irbesartan falls into this category. If you or a loved one have taken Irbesartan, read this article for helpful information.

What Is Irbesartan?

Irbesartan is a blood pressure medication. It is used to treat high blood pressure and can also protect the kidneys from negative effects of diabetes. The drug is to be taken orally and is available by prescription only. Irbesartan lists dizziness, lightheadedness, and GI upset as common symptoms of the medication. The drug is only prescribed to patients that will benefit from this medication despite the minor side effects.

Although this medication sounds like it could be great for all patients who need it, irbesartan is not for everyone. Prescription medications are not one size fits all, and even if a prescription medication works great for one patient, it may not work for another patient.

Irbesartan And Valsartan

This 2021 recall of Irbesartan is an expansion of a 2018 recall of Valsartan. Valsartan is also a blood pressure prescription drug that was found to contain human carcinogens.

Why was Irbesartan recalled?

Irbesartan is manufactured by Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc., and has been on the market since 1997. The recall happened in 2021.

In Ooctober of 2021, laboratory testing revealed certain batches of irbesartan contained high levels of a known human carcinogen. The carcinogen in question is an impurity called N-nitrosoirbesartan. Large amounts of N-nitrosoirbesartan can lead to the development of multiple kinds of cancers. But, cancer won’t grow immediately with exposure.

Dangers Of Carcinogens

Carcinogens have the ability to alter our DNA as well as cause cells to split at higher rates. Due to the cancer-causing abilities of carcinogens, it is smart to limit exposure to carcinogens. If a medication that you are taking in order to better your health contains carcinogens, you may be doing more harm than good. When a medication doesn’t include a warning, you aren’t able to make an informed decision.

What To Do If You Were Taking Irbesartan

Due to how long Irbesartan has been on the market, a lot of people could have been exposed to this dangerous impurity. People may not be aware that this prescription medication could be connected to their cancer diagnoses.

Take Legal Action

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and you fear that it is related to taking irbesartan, you can take legal action. Depending on your specific situation, you may be entitled to compensation. To learn more about your options, speak with an experienced attorney today. At Kane & Silverman we care about your health and want to get you the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.