Recently recalled heart drug valsartan does not raise the risk of cancer in the short-term, according to a study.
The U.S. was among 23 countries to recall the drug used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure in July, after officials found traces of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA)—a chemical compound linked to cancer—in products.
After studying data on 5,150 patients from the Danish health registries, the authors of the paper published in the BMJ concluded valsartan contaminated with NDMA did not appear to cause cancer in the short-term. They did, however, find a slightly—but not statistically significant—heightened chance of developing colorectal and uterine cancers.
The team cautioned further research is needed to assess the potential risks for specific cancers, as well as the potential long-term effects.
