skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Drug recall - irbesartan (brand name is Avapro)

5 years ago

Irbesartan and irbesartan HCTZ are being recalled after testing revealed a carcinogen -- just like with the recalls of valsartan and losartan. Here is a link to the FDA's page that has links to the recall lists for each of those meds.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (5)

Elmer J Fudd
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
It's so sad that these drug contamination episodes keep happening. Most generic drug companies are based in places like India or China and/or source ingredients from such places. They're all on the merry-go-round of "cheaper is better", not "quality first", and they need much tighter regulation and inspection.

I avoid generics. It costs me much more to pay for "brand" versions but I do so, to avoid having to watch for these recalls closely. I know not everyone can afford to do so or may be in plans where a brand alternative isn't available.
Lindsey_CA
Original Author
5 years ago
I have never been a fan of generics. Both of my blood pressure medications -- Toprol XL (generic is metoprolol succinate) and Diovan (generic is valsartan) are filled with the brand name only, as is my Effient (generic name is prasugrel), which is to keep platelets from sticking together. I'm on Effient after getting the cardiac stent, but I should be able to discontinue it within the next 4-6 months.

Well, I should clarify on the Toprol XL -- I am not paying out the wazoo for the brand name on that one. I get the authorized generic, made by Lannett. Authorized generics are the brand name drug marketed under the generic name, by a partner of the manufacturing pharmaceutical company. I pay $10 for a 90-day supply of that. I do pay $100 for a 90-day supply of Diovan, and $100 for a 90-day supply of Effient.
Related Discussions
Generic Drugs
Q
Comments (9)
A generic drug has the same main ingredient but no drug company is going to hand out 'recipe" for their drug to another company, they paid for the research & development of drug to start with & they aren't handing out how to make it. The generic companies can often figure out about what is in it but not always all the ingredients. Just as there are lots of white cakes they don't all taste the same as eggs-1 or 2 or more, flour, brands are different,cake flour is different, vanilla or artificial vanilla,so you will get a white cake but may not taste at all like 1 you had before. Same with drugs & since we are made up of 96 or more elements if the formula doesn't agree with our chemistry we can get mighty sick. Armour thyroid works great on me & mom took it also, but they went to all generics at hospital & 3 different times they had switched her & I took 1 look & told nurse, you switched her, where is drugs I brought from home & you OK'd, they checked & sure enough they had crossed out Armour thyroid & given her the Sythyroid & she was a zombie, just laid there not moving while night before talking & laughing & sitting in a chair, 3 times of this & finally nurse said, I'll fix this so it doesn't happen again & Sythyroid went in her allergies list so next time she was in she did get the drug Armour thyroid that we brought from home. So if you get a generic that makes you sick, drugged or woozy then you need to get that drug on your allergy list &" Brand only" may have to be brought & approved by hospital.
...See More
IMPORTANT! Pet food recall
Q
Comments (19)
I have called that number probably in excess of 200 times since yesterday morning. The number is busy, busy, busy. Why is it so hard to put out a list of the affected foods, numbers, etc.? I have also found that the IAMS site that I am directed won't load, I guess it is overloaded???? If the food recalled were manufactured for human consumption, you can bet there would be more information available to stem the tide of lawsuits. Because it is confined to pet food/animals, these manufacturers don't think it is as important because they don't face lawsuits. However, they would think it important if their foods were boycotted because of their ignorance and inattention. Has anyone been able to get through on the number QQ posted? Just ridiculous and very frustrating.
...See More
Drug prices are crazy (sorry if it was discussed before )
Q
Comments (63)
Jasdip, I was about to post that I believe it is B.C. that pays for oral cancer drugs, but Ontario does not, when Stacey_mb posted about coverages in Manitoba. I agree that a lot of people think that OHIP will cover them throughout Canada and as you certainly know, it won't. We always take out of of country and province medical/trip cancellation coverage. I can't take generics. So many brand name drugs are no longer sold because of generics so it is a good thing I suppose that I am extremely sensitive to most drugs out there or I would be in serious trouble. And it isn't just the preferred generic it is all of them, and I am not the only one. We are both over 65. I have only one prescription and it has gone generic so how long the the brand name will be available and not stale-dated remains to be seen since we are in year 5. I pay the extra between the generic and the name brand cost under the ODB. Then there is the annual deductible for the ODB which of course I don't even begin to meet. Also, the drug and its use have to be approved to be covered by the ODB. I have been told when in the U.S. that Canadians enjoy free dental, vision and drug coverage. We do? News to me! Obviously not all Americans think this but it is frightening the ones that do. And we do "pay" for our OHIP coverage. I think of this whenever I go to the dentist or the eye doctor - and my husband sees 2 eye doctors. I hope you are coping as well as can be expected. My husband's sister when through the same horrible issue as you when she was your age.
...See More
Do you have a favorite brand of sunglasses?
Q
Comments (67)
Many regulars here are folks of modest means. Is saying that one has 3 pairs of sunglasses that are a few hundred dollars a pop or more something useful, or instead maybe boastful? If they indeed own three pairs of expensive sunglasses that would be an honest, factual answer to the original question and not at all boastful. What would you have them do, Elmer? Lie and tell everyone that they own one cheap pair from the dollar store or stay completely out of the thread? By your logic, mentioning your high performance BMW, your second home and your extensive travels to Europe would be considered boasting. Should you never again mention those things because some cant afford a BMW, a second home or traveling to Europe? And, please. If you are going to quote me, please don't snip just the words that fit whatever point you are trying to make. To do so, takes my meaning out of context. I have no desire to further disrupt this thread nor do i wish to argue with you so i am going to bow out now. It always amazes me how the most innocent or innocuous of topics can go completely off the rails; I guess nothing should surprise me any more but it always does.
...See More
ladypat1
5 years ago
Well, I about needed something for a heart attack after reading this. But pulled out bottle and my Irbesartan is not on the list you provided. Thank you Lindsey_CA
bengardening
5 years ago
I have been on Irbesartan for a quite a few years. I have just been going through a battle of trying to find a replacement. They were all to expensive. Now my Doctors nurse called me and told me it was not recalled.
User
5 years ago
Someone posted here about Lozartan being recalled . ( Thank you by the way !) I called Walmart to see if mine was on the recall list and got this nasty,snarky reply ..
"if you picked it up at OUR store , it hasn't been recalled". Before I even got to ask about their recall policy, they hung up. I think the lady that answered my call should be Recalled to the unemployment line ....

0

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can we start a Chain Reaction Game - Part 4

92

I'll show you mine/you show me yours - W 4/24/24

23

what is Cloudflare? I can't get into the KTGP

4

I'll show you mine/you show me yours - Th 4/25/24

16

Armour Thyroid vs. Synthroid

7