Update - Advisory - Several drugs containing valsartan being recalled due to contamination with a potential carcinogen

Update to list of affected products

OTTAWA, July 10, 2018 /CNW/

Issue: Several drugs containing the ingredient valsartan are being recalled by their manufacturers. An impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), was found in the valsartan used in these products. The valsartan was supplied by Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals. NDMA is a potential human carcinogen, which means that it could cause cancer with long-term exposure. Five companies have affected products, which are being recalled (identified in table below).

Drugs containing valsartan are used to treat patients with high blood pressure to help prevent heart attacks and stroke. These drugs are also used in patients who have had heart failure or a recent heart attack.

Who is affected

    --  Consumers who use any valsartan products in the table below.

Affected products


       Product name/Active Pharmaceutical
                   Ingredient               DIN          Strength   Lot #
       ----------------------------------   ---          --------   -----

       TEVA-VALSARTAN/HCTZ TABLETS PP 30s       02357046 320/25 mg 35212731R
       ----------------------------------       -------- --------- ---------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 40MG FC TABLETS 100        02337487   40 mg    K47338
       ---------------------------------        --------   -----    ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 80MG FC TABLETS 100        02337495   80 mg    K45370
       ---------------------------------        --------   -----    ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 80MG FC TABLETS 100        02337495   80 mg    K47652
       ---------------------------------        --------   -----    ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 80MG FC TABLETS 100        02337495   80 mg    K47653
       ---------------------------------        --------   -----    ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 80MG FC TABLETS 100        02337495    80mg    K47654
       ---------------------------------        --------    ----    ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 160MG FC TABLETS 100       02337509   160 mg   K39691
       ----------------------------------       --------   ------   ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 160MG FC TABLETS 100       02337509   160 mg   K44167
       ----------------------------------       --------   ------   ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 160MG FC TABLETS 100       02337509   160 mg   K47657
       ----------------------------------       --------   ------   ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 160MG FC TABLETS 100       02337509   160 mg   K47658
       ----------------------------------       --------   ------   ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 320MG FC TABLETS 100       02337517   320 mg   K44166
       ----------------------------------       --------   ------   ------

       ACT-VALSARTAN 320MG FC TABLETS 100       02337517   320 mg   K45371
       ----------------------------------       --------   ------   ------

             SANDOZ VALSARTAN 40 MG             02356740   40 mg   All lots
             ----------------------             --------   -----   --------

             SANDOZ VALSARTAN 80 MG             02356759   80 mg   All lots
             ----------------------             --------   -----   --------

            SANDOZ VALSARTAN 160 MG             02356767   160 mg  All lots
            -----------------------             --------   ------  --------

            SANDOZ VALSARTAN 320 MG             02356775   320 mg  All lots
            -----------------------             --------   ------  --------

             SANIS VALSARTAN 40 MG              02366940   40 mg   All lots
             ---------------------              --------   -----   --------

             SANIS VALSARTAN 80 MG              02366959   80 mg   All lots
             ---------------------              --------   -----   --------

             SANIS VALSARTAN 160 MG             02366967   160 mg  All lots
             ----------------------             --------   ------  --------

             SANIS VALSARTIN 320 MG             02366975   320 mg  All lots
             ----------------------             --------   ------  --------

        PRO DOC LIMITEE VALSARTAN 40 MG         02367726   40 mg   All lots
        -------------------------------         --------   -----   --------

        PRO DOC LIMITEE VALSARTAN 80 MG         02367734   80 mg   All lots
        -------------------------------         --------   -----   --------

        PRO DOC LIMITEE VALSARTAN 160 MG        02367742   160 mg  All lots
        --------------------------------        --------   ------  --------

        PRO DOC LIMITEE VALSARTAN 320 MG        02367750   320 mg  All lots
        --------------------------------        --------   ------  --------

     SIVEM PHARMACEUTICAL ULC VALSARTAN 40
                       MG                       02384523   40 mg   All lots
     -------------------------------------      --------   -----   --------

     SIVEM PHARMACEUTICAL ULC VALSARTAN 80
                       MG                       02384531   80 mg   All lots
     -------------------------------------      --------   -----   --------

     SIVEM PHARMACEUTICAL ULC VALSARTAN 160
                       MG                       02384558   160 mg  All lots
     --------------------------------------     --------   ------  --------

     SIVEM PHARMACEUTICAL ULC VALSARTAN 320
                       MG                       02384566   320 mg  All lots
     --------------------------------------     --------   ------  --------

What consumers should do

    --  Keep taking your medicine if it contains valsartan, unless you have been
        told to stop by your doctor or pharmacist.
    --  If you are taking any medication containing valsartan, speak to your
        pharmacist who can tell you if your medicine is being recalled.
    --  If you have been using an affected product, contact your health care
        practitioner as soon as possible to discuss your treatment options.
    --  If you are in a clinical trial with a product containing valsartan and
        have any questions, speak to the doctor treating you in the trial.
    --  Report side effects (adverse events) to health products to Health Canada
        by calling toll-free at 1?866?234?2345, or by reporting online, by mail
        or by fax.
    --  Report complaints about health products to Health Canada by calling
        toll-free at 1?800?267?9675, or complete an online complaint form.

What Health Canada is doing

    --  Health Canada is monitoring the companies' recalls. Should additional
        safety information be identified, Health Canada will take appropriate
        action and inform Canadians.

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SOURCE Health Canada