A nationwide safety alert has been issued for a common blood pressure medication after a packaging mix-up was identified. Health officials are advising patients to check their medicine boxes immediately to ensure they have the correct dosage.
The alert concerns specific 28-tablet cartons of Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 10mg film-coated tablets manufactured by Accord-UK Ltd. Officials discovered that a pack contained a blister strip of higher-strength 20mg tablets alongside the intended 10mg supply.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) confirmed that the affected batch is numbered M2510877 and has an expiry date of 11/2028. This specific batch was first distributed to pharmacies and retail counters on June 24, 2026.
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Regulators emphasise that the recall is a precautionary measure and the risk to the wider public remains very low. The 20mg strength falls within standard authorised therapeutic doses, meaning an accidental dose is unlikely to cause severe harm, reports Robert Rowlands for Wales Online.
Patients taking higher doses across several weeks could experience intensified drug effects such as dizziness, headaches, flushing, or sudden low blood pressure. Anyone feeling unwell after taking medication from this specific batch should seek prompt medical advice from their GP or NHS 111.
Fortunately, the two pill strengths feature distinctly different colours – yellow for the 10mg and pink for the 20mg – making them easy to identify at home. If your carton contains only blister strips labelled as 10mg, you may continue taking your prescription as normal.
Should you discover a blister strip marked as 20mg inside your 10mg box, stop taking the medication straight away. Return the entire pack to the dispensing chemist where your prescription was originally dispensed.
PACK DETAILS: The batch number and date can be found on the end of the box (Image: MHRA)
Advising patients, the MHRA said: “If you believe you have taken the Lercanidipine 20mg Tablets and are currently experiencing any side effects such as dizziness, headache, flushing or palpitations, 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.”
Pharmacists across every high street have been instructed to remove any remaining stock from batch M2510877 with immediate effect. Pharmacy teams will inspect returned boxes and issue the correct replacement prescription.
Anyone requiring clinical advice regarding this specific recall can contact the Accord-UK Medical Information Department directly on 01271 385257 or via medinfo@accord-healthcare.com
For full details of the recall, see the MHRA notice here.
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