Massive Nationwide Recall of Blood Pressure Medication—Find Out If Your Prescription Is on the List

WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 30, 2025 More than half-a-million bottles of a widely prescribed blood-pressure medicine have been pulled from U.S. pharmacies after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) flagged potentially cancer-causing impurities. What was recalled • Product: Prazosin Hydrochloride Capsules, USP • Strengths and counts: 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg in 100-, 500- and 1,000-count bottles • Distributor: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Parsippany, N.J. • Recall classification: Class II (use may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects) Why the FDA acted Tests found elevated levels of “N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C,” a nitrosamine linked to an increased cancer risk when people are exposed above the acceptable daily intake for long periods. Nitrosamines have triggered prior recalls of valsartan, losartan, quinapril and other heart drugs, underscoring an industry-wide contamination challenge. How to know if your pills are affected 1. Look for “Prazosin Hydrochloride Capsules, USP” on the prescription label. 2. Check the National Drug Code (NDC) on the bottle: • 0904-6155-05 (1 mg) • 0904-6156-05 (2 mg) • 0904-6157-05 (5 mg) 3. Compare the lot number with the FDA Enforcement Report (Event 97755) on fda.gov. If the lot matches, your medication is subject to the recall. What patients should do • Continue taking the drug until a pharmacist or prescriber provides a replacement—suddenly stopping prazosin can cause a rapid spike in blood pressure. • Call your pharmacy first; many have already arranged free exchanges. • Report side effects or quality issues to FDA’s MedWatch program (800-332-1088 or medwatch.fda.gov). Health risks and symptoms Long-term exposure to high nitrosamine levels may raise cancer risk in organs such as the liver and esophagus. Short-term exposure is not expected to cause immediate illness, and no injuries have been reported so far. Background on prazosin Prazosin is an alpha-1 blocker approved for hypertension and often prescribed off-label for PTSD-related nightmares. By relaxing blood vessels, it lowers resistance and eases blood flow. Industry context Since 2018, at least six classes of blood-pressure drugs—including angiotensin receptor blockers and ACE inhibitors—have faced recalls over nitrosamines. FDA continues to push manufacturers to improve raw-material sourcing, solvent reuse practices and high-temperature processing that can form the impurity. Consumer tips to avoid counterfeit or recalled meds • Refill only at licensed pharmacies that seal stock bottles until dispensed. • Keep pills in original containers so NDC and lot numbers remain visible. • Sign up for FDA recall alerts or your pharmacy’s text warnings. Need more help? Contact Teva’s recall support at 888-838-2872, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. ET, or visit fda.gov/safety/recalls for ongoing updates.