According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), more than 580,000 bottles of the drug prazosin hydrochloride have been voluntarily recalled nationwide after testing revealed elevated levels of a chemical impurity known as a nitrosamine.
Nitrosamines are a class of compounds that can form during the manufacturing or storage of medications. While they are found in small amounts in everyday foods and water, higher levels over time may increase the risk of cancer, which is why strict limits are enforced in pharmaceuticals.
The affected medication is widely used to treat high blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and improving blood flow. In some cases, it is also prescribed for conditions such as PTSD-related sleep disturbances.
The FDA has classified this recall as a Class II risk, meaning that while serious health consequences are unlikely, the drug could potentially cause temporary or medically reversible harm if taken.
Pharmaceutical companies involved in the recall, including Teva Pharmaceuticals and Amerisource Health Services, initiated the action after internal testing showed that impurity levels exceeded the agency’s acceptable safety limits.