Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc. is recalling two lots of medication that regulates high blood pressure, warning that taking them may cause serious side effects.
Health Canada says the incorrect tablets of MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets have been identified as midodrine 2.5 mg tablets — medicine used to treat low blood pressure.
The correct MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets are white, 8-sided tablets, with “210” on one side and “5” on the other.
A picture of MAR-Amlodipine 5mg (Photo Courtesy of Health Canada).
The incorrect tablets, which are actually midodrine 2.5 mg tablets, are white, round tablets, marked with “M2” on one side, and a line across the middle on the other side.
A 2.5 mg pill of midodrine (Photo Courtesy of Health Canada).
The lot affected is “2472021 2472021A” and expires in July of 2027.
MAR-Amlodipine is often used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain in adults and children six-years-old and older.
The agency says substituting midodrine for MAR-Amlodipine can lead to serious side effects, including a dangerous increase in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting and organ damage.
They say patients with other conditions including glaucoma or hyperthyroidism, and people taking other medications could also experience different side effects if they take the midodrine by mistake.
Anyone who feels dizzy, has unusually high blood pressure or feels slow heartbeats should call 911, or contact their health care professional.
Any incorrect medicine should be returned to the patient’s pharmacy.
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