Common blood pressure drug recalled after cross-contamination |

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has voluntarily recalled over 11,100 bottles of its Ziac (bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide) tablets due to potential cross-contamination with ezetimibe, a cholesterol-lowering drug. The FDA classified this as a Class III recall, meaning it’s not likely to cause adverse health consequences. Patients with recalled medication should contact their pharmacist and prescriber.

Thousands of bottles of a commonly used drug to treat high blood pressure have been recalled over concerns that the product could be cross-contaminated with another drug. Here’s everything you need to know about the recall.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., which has U.S. headquarters in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, has voluntarily recalled more than 11,100 bottles of bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets under the brand name Ziac. The New Jersey drugmaker, which has its headquarters in Mumbai, India, initiated the recall after finding traces of another medication in Ziac. “Cross-contamination with other products: Testing of reserve samples showed presence of traces of ezetimibe (a drug used to treat high cholesterol),” the FDA report stated. The FDA has classified the recall as a Class III risk level, a situation in which “use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.” The prescription drug bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide blocks beta-1 receptors in the heart, allowing the heart to beat normally, according to WebMD. The drug also increases urination in order to remove sodium and water from the body, and relaxes blood vessels. This helps to lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

How to identify the recalled drugs?

The recall affects the prescription drug in 2.5 mg to 6.25 mg dosages. Manufactured in Madhya Pradesh, India, for Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inc., USA, the drugs come in different-sized bottles. The recalled lots are:

The lot numbers affected are:

Neither the drug manufacturer nor the FDA has issued specific guidance regarding what to do with the recalled drugs. However, GoodRx suggests that if people have the recalled medication, they should contact their pharmacist and the healthcare provider who prescribed it, and dispose of the recalled medication.Note: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment, or before changing your diet or supplement regimen.