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Valsartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker drug, delayed disease progression and improved cardiac structure and function in patients with early-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, according to a recent trial. "This is the first time we have identified a treatment that may actually impact the underlying disease process, as opposed to just treating symptoms. In addition, if we can delay disease progression, this may ultimately mean that we can significantly impact the risk of sudden cardiac death in this population," said Philip Thrush, MD. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is characterized by an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle. The disease results from mutations in the...

A large medication recall has expanded again - now to a global scale. Valsartan, a prescription medication commonly used to treat blood pressure issues and heart failure, is now under a worldwide recall. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the drug contains a cancer causing chemical called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA). This chemical is toxic to the liver and other organs. "The presence of NDMA was unexpected and is thought to be related to changes in the way the active substance was manufactured," the FDA said. snip...

Several common drugs that contain valsartan, used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, were recalled in the United States on Friday due to an "impurity" in the drug that poses a potential cancer risk. That impurity, N-nitrosodimethylamine or NDMA, is classified as a probable human carcinogen, based on results from lab tests. The medicines included in the voluntary recall are valsartan from Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries, as well as valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide from Solco and Teva. Valsartan is off patent and is used as a component of other generic medicines, but not all medicines containing the...

The recall of a common drug used to control blood pressure and help prevent heart failure was announced by the US Food and Drug Administration on Friday, a week after 22 other countries recalled it because the drug contains a chemical that poses a potential cancer risk. Valsartan is off patent and is used as a component of other generic medicines, but not all medicines containing the ingredient are involved, according to the FDA. The US recall includes the the versions of valsartan that are made by Major Pharmaceuticals, Solco Healthcare and Teva Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd. as well as valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide...