If you take medication for high blood pressure, you may want to check if it’s part of an urgent recall in Canada.
Over the weekend, Health Canada issued a recall notice for two lots of MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets, warning Canadians that some bottles may contain the wrong drug.
According to the notice, MAR-Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain in adults and children six and older.
Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc., the maker of that drug, found that some bottles of MAR-Amlodipine may contain midodrine 2.5 mg tablets, a medication that’s used to treat low blood pressure.
“Substituting amlodipine (5 mg) with midodrine (2.5 mg) can lead to serious side effects such as a dangerous increase in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting and organ damage,” reads the notice.
Health Canada explains that patients with other conditions like pheochromocytoma, glaucoma, or hyperthyroidism, and those taking other medications, could experience different side effects with different levels of severity if they accidentally take midodrine.
The agency adds that some people might not experience any symptoms if their blood pressure is high, and will need to measure it.
“Elevated blood pressure without symptoms can still result in significant harm to a patient,” reads the notice. “Children taking the wrong medication may face a higher risk of serious side effects and potential harm.”
What you should do if you have the recalled blood pressure medication
If you think you have the impacted medication, Health Canada advises you to immediately check your pill bottle to make sure it only has MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets.
MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg (CNW Group/Health Canada (HC))
According to the recall, MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets are white to off-white, flat and eight-sided, with a line across the middle. One side has “210” and “5” printed on it, and the other side is blank.
Midodrine 2.5 mg tablets are white, round, and marked with “M2” on one side and have a line down the middle on the other side.
Health Canada says not to take these Midodrine 2.5 mg (CNW Group/Health Canada (HC))
“If your bottle contains any round tablets, return the bottle to your pharmacy for a replacement,” advises Health Canada. “If you are unable to get a replacement immediately, continue taking your medication as directed, but do not take the round tablets.”
If you feel dizzy, or have unusually high blood pressure or slow heartbeats, Health Canada says to contact your health-care professional.
If you have chest pain, a sudden headache, or an inability to move or feel a part of your body, or impaired speech, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Health Canada says it is monitoring the company’s recall and investigation and will inform Canadians if any new health risks are identified.
Check out the recall notice for more details.