Pharmacies and patients taking a commonly prescribed high blood pressure treatment are being urged to immediately check their packaging.
Crescent Pharma Limited is recalling one batch of Ramipril 5mg Capsules as a precautionary measure following a potential manufacturing error that may have resulted in two blood pressure medications being packaged incorrectly.
A pharmacy lodged a complaint after a patient discovered that a pack labelled Ramipril 5mg Capsules (batch number GR164099) actually contained blister strips of Amlodipine 5mg Tablets inside the sealed box.
Both blood pressure medications are manufactured by the same company at the same site, and it has been reported that the error likely happened during the process of placing the blister strips into the cartons.
Patients taking Ramipril should examine their packaging for the batch number GR164099 and return any packs containing blister strips marked “Amlodipine” to their pharmacist.
A statement on Gov.uk indicates the likelihood of patients accidentally receiving one common blood pressure medication instead of another is low.
The most frequent side effect could be dizziness resulting from low blood pressure. According to the NHS, Ramipril is a medication widely prescribed to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure.
It’s also given following a heart attack. Ramipril helps prevent future strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems, reports the Mirror.
It also improves your survival if you’re taking it for heart failure or following a heart attack. Octopuses potentially ruling the world, Stone Age builders, curing psychopathy, and the reason humans lack a mating season – all these topics and more in our latest peculiar science newsletter.
Shareen Doak, Deputy Director of Benefit-Risk Evaluation at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), advised: “If you take Ramipril, check the packaging for batch number GR164099. The batch number and expiry date information can be found on the outer carton. If you have received this batch, check that the medication name on the carton matches the blister strips inside.
“If the carton contains blister strips that are labelled as Amlodipine 5mg tablets, contact your dispensing pharmacy. If the carton contains blister strips that are correctly labelled as Ramipril 5mg Capsules, you do not need to take further action.
“If you have an affected pack and think you may have taken the Amlodipine 5mg Tablets that were supplied in error, and you are currently experiencing any side effects, then please seek immediate medical advice. Please take the leaflet that came with your medicine and any remaining tablets with you to your pharmacy or GP practice.
“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 instructed pharmacy and healthcare professionals to send back all remaining stock to their suppliers. The MHRA oversees the regulation of all medicines and medical devices across the UK, ensuring they meet standards for effectiveness and acceptable safety.