FDA Announces Blood Pressure Drug Contamination Recall
- Dec 10
- 2 min read
Thousands of bottles—specifically more than 11,000—of a commonly used prescription drug for treating hypertension have been recalled nationwide due to potential contamination,,. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., which has U.S. headquarters in New Jersey and is globally headquartered in Mumbai, India, initiated the recall for multiple lots of bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets (a generic version of Ziac).
The contamination was discovered when testing of reserve samples showed the presence of trace amounts of ezetimibe. Ezetimibe is a cholesterol drug that Glenmark Pharmaceuticals also produces,,. This finding prompted the recall, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported.
Bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide is a combination medication that helps lower blood pressure by allowing the heart to beat normally, increasing urination to remove sodium and water, and relaxing blood vessels, ultimately reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The affected products include prescription 2.5-milligram/6.25-milligram tablets in various sizes, including 30-count, 100-count, and 500-count bottles. The specific lots recalled carry expiration dates ranging from November 2025 to May 2026.
Despite the discovery of contamination, the FDA classified this as a Class III risk level. This classification indicates that "use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences",. However, experts advise that anyone affected by a drug recall should check their medication's lot number and contact their pharmacist and prescriber immediately,. It is crucial for patients not to stop taking medications suddenly, as doing so can sometimes be riskier than the potential contamination itself.
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Keywords: Blood pressure drug contamination
Blood pressure drug contamination
