Risk of cancer: after valsartan, the ANSM recalls batches of drugs based on irbesartan

This summer, the blood pressure drug valsartan was recalled due to a probable carcinogenic presence. A few months later, it was the turn of irbesartan, also from the sartan family and also produced by the Arrow Génériques laboratory, to suffer the same fate, announced on Friday January 11 the Medicines Agency (ANSM). Other sartans could well be recalled soon too, specifies the ANSM on its site.

From July, valsartan was recalled several times due to the presence of two substances classified as probable carcinogens by the World Health Organization (WHO), NDMA and NDEA. This led to “supply tensions” and “stock shortages” for the 1.4 million patients who consumed it. Despite everything, “the potential presence of NDMA and NDEA does not induce an acute risk for the health of patients”, informs the ANSM.

“The risk of a sudden cessation of treatment being significant (hypertensive flare-ups, cardiac decompensation, neurological accidents), patients should in no case interrupt their treatment without medical advice”, also warns the Agency.

Above all, do not stop an ongoing treatment overnight

Joined last July by Why Doctor, Professor Jean-Jacques Mourad (AP-HP), specialist in hypertension, made the same remarks. “It is crucial not to stop your treatment. Stopping can lead to significant complications, such as heart failure attacks or an increase in blood pressure, with in particular an increased risk of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) at the key,” he insisted.

This is why the ANSM set up a toll-free information number for patients in July. By dialing 08 00 97 14 03, they can check with a pharmacist if their medicine box is affected. In which case, the professional can replace it.

Thus, “in order to allow patients to have a treatment, the ANSM asked the laboratories marketing sartan-based drugs not affected by the quality defect, or other alternatives, to intensify their production. first laboratories have already implemented this ANSM request to allow the best possible availability of sartans on the French market”.