A BLOOD pressure medication has been pulled from shelves over a potential packaging error.
The “precautionary” measure was taken after a patient discovered another medicine in the product pack, with health officials issuing warnings over “side effects”.
Crescent Pharma Limited has recalled one batch of its Ramipril 5 mg Capsules after a potential manufacturing error may have led to two blood pressure medicines being packaged incorrectly.
A pharmacy flagged the issue after a patient reported that a pack labelled Ramipril 5 mg Capsules, with the batch number GR164099, contained blister strips of Amlodipine 5 mg Tablets inside the sealed carton.
Both of these blood pressure medications are produced by the same manufacturer, at the same site, with the error appearing to have occurred during secondary packaging of the blister strips into the cartons.
Patients who take Ramipril are advised to check the packaging of their medicine for the affected batch number and return the pack if it contains blister strips labelled “Amlodipine” to their local pharmacist.
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According to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), the risk to patients of the accidental substitution of one widely used blood pressure medication for another is low.
The health official advised that the most likely side effect would be dizziness related to low blood pressure.
Shareen Doak, Deputy Director, Benefit-Risk Evaluation, at MHRA recommended patients check the batch number and expiry date information on the outer packaging of the product.
“If you have received this batch, check that the medication name on the carton matches the blister strips inside,” she said.
“If the carton contains blister strips that are labelled as Amlodipine 5 mg tablets, contact your dispensing pharmacy.”
Anyone who is in possession of an affected pack and thinks they may have taken the Amlodipine 5 mg Tablets in error, is advised to seek immediate medical advice if they experience any side effects.
“Please take the leaflet that came with your medicine and any remaining tablets with you to your pharmacy or GP practice,” the health official advised.
“If you’ve already taken Amlodipine, please be reassured that there is a very low risk to your health.
“Both medications are used to treat high blood pressure, however because your body may not be used to a different type of medicine, your blood pressure may become lower than normal, and you may experience dizziness because of taking amlodipine.“
Any suspected adverse reactions should also be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
The MHRA has advised pharmacy and healthcare professionals to return all remaining stock to their suppliers.
