If you are like other San Antonio residents, it probably feels like the Food and Drug Administration is announcing a new drug recall every other day. While there actually aren’t that many, several high blood pressure medication recalls have occurred in recent months, raising concerns among patients and healthcare providers.

One of the most concerning is the sheer volume of high blood pressure medications taken off the market due to a carcinogenic ingredient. Many people are attempting to put the minds of those who take these medications at ease by saying that the risk of cancer shouldn’t cause a panic “just yet.”

Understanding the Recall Issue

Doctors say that the problem with these medications has little to do with the active ingredient that actually controls high blood pressure. The contamination involves carcinogenic impurities found during manufacturing quality testing. However, some patients rely on a class of drugs called angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), the class involved in these recalls, to treat heart failure and high blood pressure; those who depend on ARBs for heart failure may face problems if a recalled medication is unavailable and they must switch. People with known allergies to ARBs should not take these medications. The recalled medications include:

• Losartan
• Valsartan
• Irbesartan

Regardless, individuals whose medications are on the recall lists may not be taking the situation quite as lightly as others may. The solution seems simple – switch to a medication not on any recall list. The problem is that it’s very possible that a shortage of alternatives could put people at risk until manufacturers can produce and distribute new medications. The FDA recently reported its efforts to “fast-track” new generic drugs in order to meet the demand.

Even if the cancer risk remains low, it remains a possibility for those who continue using the defective medications. The recalls created a new potential problem since many people switched to different medications due to this issue. They require close monitoring in order to make sure they do not experience any adverse effects from a new medication. Doctors often choose a patient’s medication based on a variety of factors, and the potential for harm is one of them.

What You Can Do If Your Medication Is Recalled

If you remain unsure regarding whether your medication is on one of many recall lists, you could call your doctor or pharmacist. If your medication is on a recall list, the next step is to talk to your doctor since many, including the FDA, are saying that it is okay to continuing taking these drugs until replacements hit the market. However, other factors could affect whether this would work for you.

A San Antonio drug recall lawyer can help you understand your legal options if you have experienced adverse health consequences from recalled blood pressure medications. As for any legal options for adverse health consequences surrounding these or any other recalled medications, scheduling a consultation with an experienced attorney who handles medication recall cases would probably be the best first step. An experienced drug recall attorney can evaluate whether you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, ongoing treatment costs, or other damages related to defective medication exposure.