Since mid of 2018, one blood pressure medication after the other is being recalled by the FDA. So what’s the reason for the massive recall? Many of them are contaminated by a substance that’s regarded as a carcinogen, which is something that can increase a person’s risk of developing cancer.
However, do take note that only certain batches of the recalled blood pressure medications are tainted with the said contaminant — the rest are completely devoid of it.
If you’re one of the millions of people on the face of the planet taking blood pressure medications, such news can definitely leave you panicking. Will I have a heart attack or stroke because I have no choice but to stop taking medications for regulating my blood pressure? Will I end up battling cancer soon because it’s been a long time since I have been taking blood pressure medications?
Rather than panic, relax. This article will tell you what to do if one of the recalled blood pressure medications by the FDA is the blood pressure medication prescribed by your doctor.
One of the most important things you need to do is always keep in mind that it’s a terrible idea for you to immediately stop taking your blood pressure medication simply because you believe it’s one of those recalled blood pressure medications. The so-called rebound hypertension may strike, which is something that can cause your blood pressure to soar.
You have been prescribed with a medication formulated to lower your blood pressure in order to safeguard your cardiovascular system and ultimately your life. Needless to say, having rebound hypertension as a result of suddenly turning your back on your blood pressure medications is dangerous.
Besides, even if your blood pressure medication is in fact one of the many recalled ones, the FDA says that you should bear in mind that a heart attack or stroke is a more immediate risk than cancer. Both heart disease and cancer could kill, but it’s likelier for heart disease to kill a person much sooner than cancer which could take so many years to develop.
While still taking your blood pressure medication as directed by your doctor, the next step that you should do is confirm that your blood pressure medication is in fact recalled by the FDA. You can reach for the bottle of your blood pressure medication and confirm online if it’s one of the recalled medications by means of the name of its manufacturer, lot number and national drug code.
You may contact your pharmacist if you’re not so sure about the result of your online research. There are a couple of reasons why it’s a good idea for you to get in touch with your pharmacist:
First, it allows you to determine whether or not your blood pressure medication is one of those that have been recalled — just because the brand of your blood pressure medication is one of those that have been recalled does not necessarily mean that the medications you have at hand are contaminated.
Second, your pharmacist may be able to provide you with a different blood pressure medication, something that is manufactured by a different company but is the exact same drug type and also dosage as the ones that your doctor has prescribed you with.
Just in case it seems like the local pharmacist cannot provide a solution to the problem, there’s still your primary health care provider that you may get in touch with — he or she can help you take the necessary steps to make sure that your blood pressure, heart and overall health won’t be placed in danger.
