If you or someone in your household takes blood pressure medication, now is the time to check your medicine cabinet. Teva Pharmaceuticals has voluntarily recalled more than 580,000 bottles of Prazosin Hydrochloride capsules after tests revealed a chemical that could increase cancer risk. While no injuries have been reported, healthcare experts emphasize the importance of taking the recall seriously and consulting your doctor before making any changes.
Why the Recall Happened
The capsules contained N-nitroso Prazosin impurity C, a compound linked to cancer that exceeded U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety limits. Many patients take Prazosin safely every day to relax blood vessels, improve circulation, and manage high blood pressure. However, these batches surpassed acceptable limits, prompting the recall. The company issued the recall on October 7, 2025, and the FDA classified it as a Class II recall on October 24.
A Class II recall means the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects, but serious harm or death is unlikely. While the likelihood of severe consequences is remote, the recall indicates that patients should act quickly to prevent potential long-term exposure. According to Teva’s Health Hazard Assessment, the overall risk in the patient population is considered medium.
Which Medications Are Affected
The recall affects 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg capsules, totaling 580,844 bottles across 55 lots distributed nationwide. The capsules were packaged in counts ranging from 100 to 1,000.
- 1 mg: 181,659 bottles (Lot #3010544A, #3010545A; Exp 10/2025)
- 2 mg: 291,512 bottles (Multiple lots, expiring 10/2025–07/2026)
- 5 mg: 107,673 bottles (Multiple lots, expiring through 03/2026)
All capsules were manufactured and distributed by Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc., North Wales, PA. Patients should carefully check the lot numbers and expiration dates on every bottle. Many households store multiple prescriptions across cabinets, drawers, or travel bags, which can make it easy to overlook recalled bottles.
What You Should Do
If you have any of the recalled capsules:
- Compare your bottle to the FDA’s list of affected lot numbers.
- Contact your pharmacy for instructions on returning or replacing the medication safely.
- Speak with your healthcare provider before stopping your prescription, since abruptly stopping blood pressure medication can raise your risk of serious complications.
- Keep notes of your medications and expiration dates to manage prescriptions safely.
- Monitor for any unusual symptoms, even though none have been reported, and report concerns promptly.
- Follow disposal guidance provided by your pharmacy or doctor for unused capsules.
Why This Recall Matters
Prazosin, sometimes sold as Minipress, is an alpha-blocker used to treat high blood pressure. While a single bottle may not cause immediate harm, repeated exposure to unsafe chemicals over time could increase health risks. Teva emphasizes that alternative treatments for hypertension are available, and patient safety is prioritized at every stage of a medicine’s lifecycle.
This recall also highlights the importance of staying vigilant about medications, reviewing recall notices, and maintaining communication with healthcare providers. Taking a few minutes to verify prescriptions, inspect your medicine cabinet, and check expiration dates can prevent long-term risks and provide peace of mind.
For the full list of recalled lots and additional details, visit the FDA recall notice.
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