A popular blood pressure medication has been withdrawn from the market due to concerns about potential contamination with another drug.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc in the US has issued a recall for more than 11,100 bottles of Ziac, which contain bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide tablets. The recall notice, released by the Food and Drug Administration, indicates that there may have been cross-contamination with other substances.
These tablets are commonly prescribed to manage hypertension by blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart, allowing it to beat regularly. According to WebMD, they are used to treat high blood pressure.
The recall notice mentioned the presence of ezetimibe, a drug used for high cholesterol treatment, in the tested samples. Classified as Class III, the recall stated that the potential exposure to the contaminated product is unlikely to cause adverse health effects.
The affected pills are available in 2.5mg and 6.25mg doses, with specific packaging including 30-count bottles NDC-68462-878-30, 100-count bottles NDC-68462-878-01, and 500-count bottles NDC-68462-878-05.
The impacted lot numbers have expiration dates ranging from November 2025 to May 2026, with a total of 11,136 bottles being subject to the recall. The FDA has not provided guidance yet on what actions patients should take if they possess the affected medication.