ARB RECALL INFO

Patients should be encouraged to contact the pharmacy that dispensed the medication, if they were affected by the recall, consider switching to another ARB (see dose comparison chart below)

ARB Products affected

NOTE: Other valsartan combination products (ie amlodipine/valsartan; sacubitril/valsartan; amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide/valsartan) are NOT involved in this recall.

Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) Antihypertensive Dose Comparison

NOTE: When switching products consider indication, liver function, renal function, other medical conditions, and allergies. Dose equivalencies are approximate. Comparable doses based on therapeutic interchange studies, comparative clinical trial and manufacturers’ recommendations for hypertension.

*valsartan and irbesartan involved in recalls

a. Starting dose for hepatic impairment or volume/sodium-depleted patients

b. Losartan may not control blood pressure as well as other ARBs. Twice daily dosing may improve blood pressure control³

c. Starting dose for hepatic impairment or volume/sodium-depleted patients

References:

1. Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) antihypertensive dose comparison. Pharmacist’s Letter/Prescriber’s Letter. Aug 2009 (full update Feb 2012);25(8):250801.

2. Yancy et al. 2017 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Optimization of Heart Failure Treatment: Answers to Ten Pivotal Issues About Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction. JACC Vol 71, No 2; January 16, 2018:201-30.

3. Product information for Cozaar. Merck & Co., Inc. Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889. December 2015.