Blood Pressure Medicine Recall Consult Two types of quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets made by Aurobindo Pharma USA are being recalled because they contain too-high levels of nitrosamines. These compounds are commonly found in water and foods, including meats, dairy products and vegetables in low levels, but may increase the risk of cancer if people are exposed to them above acceptable levels over long periods of time, according to the voluntary recall from Aurobindo, which was posted by the US Food and Drug Administration last month.
Quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide
Quinapril and hydrochlorothiazide are use to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure. Two lots of Aurobindo’s 20 mg/12.5 mg are includ in the recall, both with expiration dates through January 2023. And the specific lot numbers can be found in the recall announcement on Oct. 25. The tablets are pink-colore and round, with “D” print on one side and “19” on the other side.
If you have this medication, you should talk with your doctor before you stop taking it. According to the notice posted by the FDA. Untreated high blood pressure can raise the risk of stroke. Heart attack and other serious health issues or medical emergencies. So you should discuss the risks and benefits of any change in medication.
Other blood pressure medications under different brands have been recalled this year over the same concern about excessively high nitrosamine levels. As The New York Times reported. The “wave” of recalls is likely due to an increase in testing for things like nitrosamines. Many drug or cosmetic recalls over potential contamination or impurities aren’t meant to cause alarm or to say consumers will be immediately harmed when using a recalled product. Instead, the concern is typically over frequent use over a long period of time.
What We Know About the Adderall Shortage
People who need it may have already known for a while, but the US Food and Drug Administration last month confirmed a shortage of Adderall — one of the most popular brand names of a stimulant commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
There have been a number of product shortages this year, including baby formula, tampons and a variety of foods, to name just a few. In its Oct. 12 announcement, the FDA referenced manufacturing issues as a source of the Adderall issue. But as The New York Times speculates, the rising popularity of online ADHD diagnosis websites could mean more people than ever are filling prescriptions for Adderall and other stimulant medications.
If this has left you wondering whether you can depend on your next prescription or when you should turn to another medication, here’s what we know.
Can I switch brands?
Before switching any medication, it’s important to talk to your doctor. And this isn’t just a standard statement to cover the bases of what’s legal or medically safest: There are different families of stimulants prescribed to treat ADHD, and different chemical combinations cause a different interplay in the brain. This is especially important to consider if you may have another mental health condition.
Dr. Sanam Hafeez, a neuropsychologist in New York, previously told CNET that stimulants like Adderall may exacerbate symptoms of mood disorders, including bipolar disorder. If you believe you have another mental health or neurodevelopmental condition, or have new symptoms of one. It’s especially important to make sure you’re on an appropriate treatment course that is safe for you.
What’s the difference between Adderall and other ADHD meds?
While your doctor may say it’s totally fine to switch to a generic version of Adderall because it contains the same active ingredients, it may not be a good idea to totally switch families of medications, such as from Adderall to Ritalin. While both work by increasing levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, Adderall is an amphetamine/dextroamphetamine and Ritalin is a methylphenidate. That is, they may have similar effects or treat the same condition. But could interfere with other medications you’re taking in different ways and have the potential to cause different side effects.
ADHD medications also come in extended-release and immediate-release formulations. If you’re having a hard time filling your prescription, you can ask your pharmacist or doctor about a suitable substitute. There are also nonstimulant medications available for ADHD, as well as nonmedication routes to treatment.