Oxx Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 In the UK and across Europe the heart/high blood pressure drug Valsartan has been recalled. The Chinese manufacturer changed the manufacturing process and in the process contaminated the drug with N-nitrosodimethylamine which is a powerful mutagen, carcinogen and is highly toxic. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/blood-pressure-and-heart-medication-recalled-from-pharmacies Available Thai brands include Allvan, Dioforge, Diovan, Tareg, Valatan & Valsarin. There are also other medicines which include Valsartan as a component. If you're on one of these drugs, obviously, don't stop taking your medication, but do consult with your doctor about possible alternatives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiamRose Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 The local generic versions say they are manufactured in Thailand. Are they also affected? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxx Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 38 minutes ago, SiamRose said: The local generic versions say they are manufactured in Thailand. Are they also affected? Potentially yes. The active ingredient may have been imported from the Chinese manufacturer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Thanks for posting this, very important news. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tutsiwarrior Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 2 hours ago, SiamRose said: The local generic versions say they are manufactured in Thailand. Are they also affected? the gov.uk notice calls out products manufactured by Dexcel Pharma Ltd and Accord Healthcare containing valsartan, I take Exforge 10/160 amlopidine/valsartan manufactured by Novartis Farmaceutica...I wonder are all valsartan products affected regardless of manufacturer? looks like I'm gonna die sooner than later...can't win fer losin'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Where is a list of other medications that may contain this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiamRose Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 2 hours ago, Oxx said: Potentially yes. The active ingredient may have been imported from the Chinese manufacturer. Thanks, that makes sense. I called Silom Medical and was told they've stopped producing Valatan, although they couldn't say why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Alternative drugs in dame family/with same.mode of action are IrbesartanLosartan (several cheap locally made brands) If switching need to google dosage equivalence Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swiss1960 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 How can I find out if my drug is affected? Have Novartis Dafiro amlodipine / valsartan combinationSent from my CPH1821 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxx Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 5 minutes ago, Swiss1960 said: How can I find out if my drug is affected? Have Novartis Dafiro amlodipine / valsartan combination Novartis has its own plant for manufacturing Valsartan (at least it did in the 1990s), so it's probably not affected. However, you'd need to contact Novartis to be sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhuh Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Novartis has publicly stated that their Valsartan is not affected. It is made in Europe (Switzerland and Ireland), not imported from China. It is made by Novartis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uhuh Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 As a general rule, one should not ingest anything made in China. This is the country that gave us melamine for babies. In Thailand, fruits and vegetables from cold climates are usually from China, e.g. apples or cabbage sold from pick-up trucks in Bangkok. Many Thais know this and don't buy these things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dddave Posted July 10, 2018 Share Posted July 10, 2018 Much appreciation to OXX. I take Valsartin daily and had been using Valatan prior to my last trip to the US in April. Fortunately, I brought a six month supply of US sourced Valsartin back with me. Hopefully this will be resolved by the time I run out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted July 16, 2018 Share Posted July 16, 2018 See for details of products on the Thai market https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/1048712-article-in-the-news-about-blood-pressure-med-recalled/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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