Last week heart patients were surprised by the Pharmaceutical advertising Sanofi Medley on the recall of all batches of medicinal products manufactured with the active substance losartan.
Losartan belongs to a group called angiotensin 1 blockers. It is a very important substance in the treatment of heart diseases such as high pressure and heart failure, as well as in the treatment of hypertension associated with kidney problems.
The “voluntary and preventive” decision, according to the company itself, was taken after the discovery of impurities in the pills that could cause mutations and increase the risk of cancer.
The measure, however, is not seen by the medical community as a cause for panic among patients, as cases of potential side effects have not yet been confirmed and there are other treatment alternatives.
“Of course, impurities are a concern, but that’s why there is quality control in the pharmaceutical industry. These impurities can represent serious neurological, cancerous and other problems, but they were quickly taken out (from the market),” says physician Ludhmila Hajjar, professor of cardiology at USP School of Medicine.
The doctor clarifies that the withdrawal of the drug is not related to losartan from other companies, generic losartan, or other similar drugs, such as valsartan, irbesartan and candesartan.
“The recall of losartan only affects Sanofi Medley Pharmaceuticals because they found impurities in the tablets.”
Check out the best diets for heart health:
amoon-ra-n8vDuIpGb0c-unsplashOrnish Diet Created in 1977 by a professor of medicine at the University of California in the United States, the menu is low in fat, refined carbohydrates and animal protein. Foods are classified into five groups between the healthiest and the least healthy, and you are allowed to consume up to 59 ml of alcohol per day. The program also encourages the practice of meditation and yoga, as well as flexibility, resistance and aerobic activities.Amoon Ra/Unsplash
mediterranean dietMediterranean diet – Based on fresh foods, chosen according to the season, and natural, it is interesting to allow a moderate consumption of wine, milk and cheese. The menu is traditional in Italy, Greece and Spain, uses lots of fish and olive oil, and since 2010 has been considered Intangible Heritage of Humanity. In addition to helping you lose weight, it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Foods Containing Magnesium and PotassiumDash diet – The acronym stands for, in Portuguese, Methods of Combating Hypertension and focuses not only on reducing the amount of sodium ingested, but on foods rich in protein, fiber, potassium, magnesium and calcium. The diet is 20 years old and recognized by several scientific publications for its effectiveness in reducing blood pressure and controlling weight.iStock
anna-pelzer-IGfIGP5ONV0-unsplash1vegan diet The vegan diet removes all foods of animal origin from the menu: no butter, eggs or whey protein. Here, the diet is mainly composed of fruits, vegetables, leaves, cereals, seeds, nuts and legumes. For those who want to lose weight, the trick is to take advantage of the fact that food is already considered healthier to avoid animal fats and have fewer calories, and control the quantities of each meal.Anna Pelzer/Unsplash
Ingredients for a healthy breakfastTLC diet – Created by the National Institute of Health in the United States, it aims to reduce cholesterol to improve the diet of patients. Vegetables, fruits, wholemeal breads, cereals, wholemeal pasta and lean meats are allowed. There are variations for each goal, such as improving cholesterol and losing weight.
dose-juice-ocnsb17U6FE-unsplashFlexitarian diet – It suggests a reduction of up to 70% in meat consumption, replacing animal protein with vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and grains. With the diet, the body would be better nourished and function better. It is recommended to start by switching from red meat to chicken or fish and to seek a nutritionist to monitor the need for vitamin B12 supplementation, present in foods of animal origin.Dose Juice/Unsplash
Healthy food in rustic wooden tray on gray backgroundEngine speed 2 Created to prevent heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, it is based on a low carbohydrate and “strong vegetable” menu. According to Rip Esselstyn, it is essentially a vegan diet with a “twist”: vegetable oils are not included here and the primary objective is not to lose weight, although an increase in mass muscle is common among followers.iStock
Buddha bowl with chicken fillet, brown rice, bell pepper, tomato, broccoli, onion, chickpeas, fresh lettuce salad, cashews and walnuts. Healthy and balanced diet. Top view. White backgroundMIND diet – Inspired by the Mediterranean and Dash diets, MIND is specifically designed to optimize brain health by eliminating all foods that may affect the brain and focusing on nuts, leafy vegetables and certain fruits. A study by the US National Institute on Aging found that patients who followed the diet reduced their risk of Alzheimer’s disease by 35% to 53%, depending on which discipline they followed.iStock
Healthy diet salad and crackersvegetarian diet A little less strict than the vegan diet, the vegetarian diet only excludes animal meat from the menu (which is usually replaced by tofu or chickpeas). According to research, followers of this type of diet tend to consume fewer calories than carnivores, and the foods are, in general, healthier.iStock
healthy soupDr. Weil’s anti-inflammatory diet Created by Dr. Andrew Weil, the diet has an intake of 2,000 to 3,000 calories, depending on the gender of the patient, and aims to prioritize anti-inflammatory foods. 40% to 50% of the diet consists of carbohydrates (low glycemic index), 30% fat and 20% to 30% protein, in a pattern similar to the Mediterranean diet
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drug exchange
In a press release published by Sanofi, the company warns that an abrupt cessation of treatment without medical advice or an alternative treatment poses a greater risk to the health of the patient “than the potential risk presented by a low level impurity”. .
Hajjar recommends patients contact their doctor to migrate to the drug from other labs. “My assessment is simple: patients who use losartan from other laboratories will continue. Patients who have used the Sanofi Medley will change laboratories,” he specifies. “Today, there are drugs that change the fate of patients suffering from cardiovascular problems for the better,” continues the cardiologist.
The doctor explains that patients who have used the drug can lead a normal life. The risk of complications caused by the drug can be monitored with routine control tests.
