'Contact pharmacies' warning as common blood pressure medication used by millions urgently recalled
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued an urgent warning after an error was made in the production of blood pressure tablets.
Crescent Pharma Limited make the ramipril 2.5mg capsules, a widely prescribed drug for high blood pressure.
This is a very common issue, especially in older adults, and medicine is usually prescribed for those who have it at a very high level, or if it stays high after making healthy lifestyle changes or if you’re at higher risk of problems linked to it.
Ramipril works by widening your blood vessels and making it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. It’s also prescribed to people after a heart attack.
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However, Crescent Pharma is recalling a batch of it after it was found that a box of the tablets contained 10mg capsules.
Taking a higher dose of the medicine can have side effects such as feeling light-headed, fainting, tiredness or altered kidney function, which could be more serious among vulnerable patients.
A healthcare professional had found two blister strips of 10mg tablets within a sealed box that had been labelled 2.5mg.
The MHRA is now urging people to check their packaging for batch number GR155023.
Dr Alison Cave, chief safety officer at the regulatory agency, said: “The batch number and expiry date information can be found on the outer carton. If you have received this batch, check that the medication strength on the carton matches the blister strips inside.
“If the 2.5mg carton of Crescent Pharma Limited ramipril contains blister strips that are labelled as ramipril 10mg capsules, do not to take the medicine and contact your dispensing pharmacy.
“If the carton contains blister strips that are correctly labelled as Crescent Pharma Limited ramipril 2.5mg capsules, you do not need to take further action and should continue to take your medicine as usual.”
Dr Cave said that if people believe that may have taken a ramipril 10mg capsule that was included in their pack by error and are currently experiencing side effects then they should seek medical advice.
“Any possible impact of taking a higher dose of ramipril should be assessed by a healthcare professional to determine whether any examination or tests are needed,” she added.
“If you have this batch of medicine, please take the leaflet that came with your medicine and any remaining tablets with you to your pharmacy or GP practice. Any suspected side effects should also be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.”
Pharmacies and healthcare professionals have also been advised to stop supplying the impacted batch and return all remaining stock to their suppliers.
Common side effects of ramipril
Per the NHS, the most common side effects users of ramipril experience include:
- A dry, persistent cough
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded, especially when you stand up or sit down quickly
- Headaches
- Diarrhoea
- Vomitting
- A mild skin rash
Serious side effects can include the whites of your eyes turning yellow, severe stomach pain, blood in urine, swollen ankles, high temperature, or bleeding from the gums. If you experience any of these, it's important to call a doctor or 111.
Topics: Health
Jess Battison