Blood pressure medication recalled over elevated levels of carcinogen

WASHINGTON — Nearly 581,000 bottles of a medication used to treat high blood pressure have been recalled after tests revealed potentially cancer-causing chemicals above acceptable safety limits.

Teva Pharmaceuticals issued a voluntary recall for prazosin hydrochloride capsules Oct. 7. It was classified by the FDA as Class II risk level on Oct. 24, which indicates that use of or exposure to the product "may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."

The recall affects three dosage strengths of the drug distributed nationwide. While the drug is primarily used to treat high blood pressure and prostate conditions, it is sometimes prescribed off-label to help post-traumatic stress disorder