In late 2025, a major health alert shook patients and caregivers across the United States — hundreds of thousands of bottles of a commonly prescribed blood pressure medication were voluntarily recalled over concerns that they may contain potentially cancer-causing contaminants. This recall highlights a growing issue within pharmaceutical manufacturing and the importance of drug safety checks that protect millions of people relying on chronic medications.
What Happened? A Massive Recall of Prazosin
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary nationwide recall affecting more than 580,000 bottles of prazosin hydrochloride capsules, a drug prescribed not only for high blood pressure but also for symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The reason? Tests found that certain batches exceeded acceptable levels of nitrosamine impurities — chemicals that regulators classify as potential carcinogens when present in medications. These impurities are not supposed to occur in pharmaceutical products at harmful levels, and their detection triggered the recall to protect public health.
What Are Nitrosamines and Why Do They Matter?
Nitrosamines are a class of compounds that can form during chemical manufacturing processes. Some nitrosamines — such as N-nitroso compounds — are known to be carcinogenic in laboratory studies and are tightly regulated in foods, water, and medicines. The FDA sets strict limits for these substances because long-term exposure, even in small amounts, may increase cancer risk over time.
When these impurities show up above safety limits in medications meant for daily use — especially for conditions like hypertension — regulators act quickly to remove affected products from circulation.
How Many Bottles Were Affected?
According to FDA recall notices and public reporting:
In total, approximately 580,844 bottles of prazosin hydrochloride were recalled nationwide.
The recall covered multiple strengths of the medication, including 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg capsules.
This large volume reflects the wide use of prazosin among patients managing blood pressure and related health issues.
What Patients Should Know
If you or a loved one takes a blood pressure medicine, especially prazosin, here’s what the FDA recommends:
