Originally published on 11/3/25

Breaking news for people with high blood pressure: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just announced that over 580,000 bottles of blood pressure medications made by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA and distributed by Amerisource Health Services have been recalled after it was discovered that they might contain a cancer-causing chemical. Worried? Here’s everything you need to know about the drug recall, including what to do if you’re taking the medication or have it in your medicine cabinet.

What to know about the FDA blood pressure medication recall 

In October 2025, the FDA announced that Teva Pharmaceuticals and Amerisource Health Services were recalling their Prazosin Hydrochloride capsules over concerns that they contained too much N-nitroso Prazosin Impurity C, a type of chemical that relaxes blood vessels and can sometimes cause cancer. 

Which Teva blood pressure drugs were recalled

The recalled bottles include: 

• 181,659 bottles of Prazosin Hydrochloride, Capsules, USP, 1 mg. 
• 291,512 bottles of Prazosin Hydrochloride, Capsules, USP, 2 mg. 
• 107,673 bottles of Prazosin Hydrochloride, Capsules, USP, 5 mg. 

Each of these bottles was sold in 100, 500 and 1,000 capsule bottles and has a unique lot number and expiration date. To see the full breakdown of those, click here. 

What is N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C and is it dangerous?

N-nitroso Prazosin Impurity C is a chemical compound that is used to treat blood pressure and other cardiovascular diseases. It works by relaxing your blood vessels, which then improves blood flow and reduces your blood pressure. 

This chemical is commonly found in medications and is generally safe in small doses. But when present in higher amounts, it can increase the risk of cancer. That’s exactly what was detected in the three Teva blood pressure medications, prompting the FDA recall.

“This recall has been initiated due to test results for N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C that are above the Carcinogenic Potency Categorization Approach (CPCA) acceptable intake limit,” Teva Pharmaceuticals said in a press release. “According to the Health Hazard Assessment by Teva USA, exposure to the product of concern could lead to severe adverse health consequences, but the likelihood of harm was assessed as remote. The overall risk of harm in the patient population is considered to be medium.” 

As of publication, no illnesses or confirmed cases of cancer have been reported in connection with the recall.

What to do if you have the recalled medication 

Teva has urged  those who have the blood pressure medication in their medicine cabinets to “contact the health care provider who prescribed the medication.” 

From there, your doctor can decide what you should do with your prescription and whether you should be put on an alternative blood pressure medication instead. 

“Prazosin is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure, and there are many alternative treatments available to patients,” Teva said in that same statement. “Teva prioritizes patient safety and product quality at every stage of a medicine’s lifecycle.”

If your doctor does ask you to dispose of your medication, most pharmacies have a drug drop-off station, which allows patients to easily turn in their old, expired or recalled medications. They also sometimes offer refunds for recalled medications. 

If you have any other questions or concerns, contact Teva Pharmaceuticals at 1 (888) 838-2872.

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/wellness/fda-blood-pressure-recall-what-to-know