Popular blood pressure drug recalled
Novartis is recalling a single lot of valsartan, a blood pressure drug the company sells under the brand name Diovan, due to failed dissolution specifications. This means it is not dissolving correctly, which can impact the drug’s effectiveness.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has categorized this as a Class II recall, meaning exposure to the drug may lead to “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.”
Diovan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used to treat hypertension and heart failure. It may also be prescribed to patients after a heart attack. This specific lot, AV5913C, includes packages of 90 160-mg tablets that expire in June 2027. The drugs were manufactured by Pantheon Manufacturing Services in Greenville, North Carolina, and distributed by Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp. in Hanover, New Jersey.
Novartis initiated this Class II recall on Aug. 4.
Click here for additional details from the FDA. Click here for valsartan recommendations from Mayo Clinic.
A recent history of drug recalls impacting cardiology
In early August, Ascend Laboratories recalled multiple lots of dabigatran etexilate, a blood thinner taken to reduce the risk of stroke or blood clots in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The recall was put in place due to a failed impurity/degradation test.
In late June, Amgen had to recall nearly 935,000 bottles of ivabradine, a heart failure drug the company sells under the brand name Corlanor, due to the presence of a foreign substance.
In the middle of June, meanwhile, JB Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals recalled more than 11,000 bottles of a water pill. Like the most recent Diovan recall, this was due to failed dissolution specifications.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.