Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

High blood pressure patients should check their prescriptions for recalled drug

Health Canada is recalling several brands of Valsartan
prescription bottle

People who use valsartan to treat high blood pressure and heart failure should contact their pharmacist to see if it is part of a drug recall.

Health Canada is recalling several brands of the drug because they may contain an impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine. NDMA has been linked to cancer.

The recalled products use a valsartan ingredient manufactured by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals in China.

A complete list of the recalled brands is here.

In the meantime, here's what Health Canada says you should do if you are taking valsartan:

  • Continue taking your valsartan medication unless you have been advised to stop by your health care provider.
  • Contact your health care provider as soon as possible to discuss treatment options if you have been using an affected product. Pharmacists may be able to provide a product not affected by the recall, or doctors may prescribe a different medication for your conditions.
  • Ask your pharmacist if you are unsure whether you are using a recalled product.