The federal Food and Drug Administration has recalled several batches of blood pressure medication, but a local health organization is urging patients to continue taking the products until they check with their doctor or pharmacist.
The FDA is concerned that the medications may contain a small amount of a chemical called NDEA, which stands for N-Nitrosodiethylamine. That compound is known to cause cancer in animals and suspected to cause cancer in humans, the agency said. It’s also found in small amounts (about one hundred-millionth of an ounce per pound) in smoked and cured meats like bacon.
The Monroe County Medical Society said in a statement Thursday that even if patients find out from their pharmacist that they are using a recalled medication, they should continue taking it until their doctor issues a new prescription. “The risk of sudden discontinuation of the drug is greater than the small risk of exposure,” the statement said.
Federal advice for patients is similar. In a technical update to its recall, the FDA said patients “should continue taking their current medicine until their doctor or pharmacist provides a replacement or a different treatment option.”