Don’t skip this memo: The FDA has flagged a prescribed blood pressure drug over potential cross-contamination concerns.
High blood pressure is an increasingly common health concern in the U.S., with the American Heart Association estimating that nearly half of all American adults have it—though many don’t even realize it. Certain lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure naturally, but it may be necessary to take a prescription to further address the issue.
If you regularly take one such medication, check your pill bottles—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just recently announced a beta blocker recall due to “cross contamination with other products.”
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., based in Mahwah, New Jersey, voluntarily recalled a lot of Nebivolol for cross-contamination concerns. The medication was distributed nationwide, according to the FDA enforcement report posted on December 9. Nebivolol is a type of beta blocker used specifically to treat high blood pressure—it works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow, per the National Library of Medicine.
The FDA reports that 672 bottles of Nebivolol with the following details were affected by the recall:
Nebivolol Tablets, 20 milligrams (mg), 90 Tablets
- Lot #: 17240988
- Expiration: 05/31/2026
- Manufactured by: Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh 454775, India
- Manufactured for: Avkare, Pulaski, TN 38478
- Product of Italy
- NDC (National Drug Code): 42291-874-90
The recall was initiated on November 18 and was designated on December 9 as a Class III recall. This means the FDA has determined it’s “a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences.”
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals also recalled 11,000 bottles of a different blood pressure medication, Bisoprolol Fumarate and Hydrochlorothiazide, earlier this month as well.
Nebivolol belongs to a class of drugs known as beta blockers. Beta blockers are commonly used to treat a variety of cardiovascular conditions like hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery disease, chest pain, and congestive heart failure. They work by blocking the actions of two neurotransmitters, epinephrine and norepinephrine, which play a role in your body’s “fight or flight” response, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Blocking these neurotransmitters can prevent your heart from beating too fast and relax the heart and blood vessels to lower blood pressure.
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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