Prazosin hydrochloride recall: what was pulled, why nitrosamines triggered it, and how to check your bottle today

A nationwide recall is underway for prazosin hydrochloride capsules—a medication used for high blood pressure and commonly prescribed off-label for PTSD-related nightmares. Regulators flagged elevated nitrosamine levels in select lots, prompting a Class II recall covering more than 580,000 bottles distributed in the United States. Here’s what patients and caregivers need to know now.

What exactly was recalled

• Drug: Prazosin hydrochloride capsules (prescription).

• Strengths involved: 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg.

• Package sizes seen in the recall: bottles of 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 capsules.

• Timeline: Recall initiated in October, classified as Class II in late October.

• Scope: Specific lot numbers only—not every prazosin product on shelves.

A Class II designation means the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects; the risk of serious harm is considered remote, but the product fails quality standards and is being removed.

Why nitrosamines matter

Testing found N-nitroso prazosin impurity C above the agency’s acceptable daily limit. Nitrosamines are a large family of compounds that can form during manufacturing or storage (for example, through certain solvents, reagents, or degradation pathways). Long-term exposure above conservative limits can increase cancer risk; the limits are set with lifetime use assumptions and large safety margins. A single bottle above the limit does not mean a patient will develop cancer; the recall is a precaution to keep exposure as low as reasonably achievable.

What patients should do today

1. Do not stop prazosin abruptly without medical advice—sudden discontinuation can destabilize blood pressure and sleep.

2. Check your bottle label: confirm drug name, strength, NDC, and lot number (often near the barcode or on the side label).

3. Call your pharmacy: provide those details; pharmacies can confirm if your lot is affected and arrange a replacement or alternative.

4. If affected: you’ll be instructed to exchange/return the bottle and switch to an unaffected lot or a therapeutic alternative.

5. Watch storage: keep capsules in original containers, tightly closed, away from heat and humidity—good storage reduces impurity formation over time.

Who is most impacted

• Hypertension patients whose regimens rely on alpha-blockade (prazosin).

• PTSD patients using prazosin for nightmare reduction.

• Health systems and clinics that dispense bulk bottles (250–1,000 ct) may have multiple lots to audit.

Pharmacists can substitute unaffected prazosin lots or consider alternatives (e.g., other alpha-1 blockers or regimen adjustments) according to your prescriber’s judgment and medical history.

Key recall facts at a glance

• Reason: Nitrosamine levels exceeded acceptable limits in specific lots.

• Risk class: Class II (moderate; reversible effects more likely than serious injury).

• Total units: ~580,000+ bottles across multiple strengths and bottle sizes.

• Not universal: Only the listed lots are affected; many prazosin products remain safe to use.

Answers to common questions

Is every bottle of prazosin unsafe?
No. Only identified lots failed testing. Pharmacies have recall notices to verify.

I’ve taken doses from a recalled bottle—am I in danger?
The recall is precautionary. The incremental cancer risk from short-term use is low. Do not stop suddenly; switch after consulting your pharmacist/clinician.

Will my insurance cover a replacement?
In most recalls, pharmacies process no-cost exchanges to an unaffected lot or coordinate with your prescriber for a covered alternative.

How do I find my lot number?
Look for “LOT” on the bottle—letters/numbers printed near the NDC. If the label is unclear, the pharmacy can look it up from your fill history.

Broader context: other blood pressure recalls

Nitrosamine-related recalls have periodically affected valsartan/losartan/irbesartan combinations and other antihypertensives over recent years. The underlying theme is tighter process controls and raw-material oversight to minimize impurity formation. Manufacturers now perform enhanced testing and stability checks; when limits are exceeded, voluntary recalls are the safety valve.

What happens next

• Reverse logistics: Wholesalers and pharmacies pull listed lots from circulation.

• Continuity of therapy: Manufacturers and distributors backfill with unaffected inventory to prevent treatment gaps.

• Ongoing review: Additional testing may expand or narrow the lot list; pharmacies receive updates first.

Action checklist for patients

• Call your pharmacy with your lot number today.

• Continue therapy unless told otherwise; arrange exchange if your lot is listed.

• Store correctly to limit degradation (cool, dry, original container).

• Report unusual symptoms to your clinician; keep copies of labels for your records.

If you need help identifying your bottle or exploring alternatives, your pharmacist and prescriber are your fastest path to a safe, uninterrupted blood-pressure plan.