Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
Patients prescribed a common blood pressure medication are being urgently advised to examine their current supply due to a critical packaging error. The issue, identified by British health authorities, involves lercanidipine hydrochloride tablets where incorrect labeling could lead individuals to inadvertently take a higher dosage than prescribed.
Safety Alert Issued for Lercanidipine Blood Pressure Tablets
Regulatory officials in the UK have issued a safety warning concerning specific batches of lercanidipine hydrochloride tablets. This alert follows the discovery of a misprint on the packaging labels of certain batches. The error suggests patients might unintentionally consume a greater dose of the medication than intended by their healthcare provider.
Potential Dosage Error
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has stated that some packs of 20mg tablets have been incorrectly labeled as containing 10mg tablets. These mislabeled packs were then distributed to individuals who typically require the lower dosage of this blood pressure drug.
According to the NHS, ingesting an excessive quantity of this particular medicine is known to induce adverse effects such as lightheadedness and excessive sleepiness.
Affected Batch Information
The MHRA has instructed patients to verify if their medication, produced by Recordati Pharmaceuticals Limited, corresponds to the affected batch number MD4L07. This crucial batch identification is imprinted on the blister pack’s foil.
The regulatory body clarified that individuals who routinely take the 10mg variant of this pill and possess medication from the specified batch should seek guidance from their General Practitioner (GP), local pharmacist, or contact NHS 111.
Guidance for Patients
Patients who are prescribed the 20mg dose are advised to confirm that their medication is indeed the correct strength and then proceed with their regular intake. However, should they harbor any doubts or concerns, consulting their pharmacist is recommended.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, commented: ‘Patient safety remains our paramount concern. We urge patients to meticulously check their medicine packaging and adhere to our issued advice.’
British regulators issued the warning on packs of lercanidipine hydrochloride tablets due to a misprint on the label that could see patients take a higher dose than advised
Dr Cave added, ‘Healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, are also being directed to immediately cease supplying medicine from the implicated batch and to facilitate its return to the supplier.’
Recall of Undistributed Packages
Recordati Pharmaceuticals Limited is also undertaking a recall initiative to retrieve all packages from the compromised batch that have not yet been disseminated to patients.
About Lercanidipine
Lercanidipine functions as a blood pressure medication, facilitating the heart’s ability to efficiently circulate blood throughout the body.
These tablets are available in 10mg or 20mg dosages, typically administered once daily, with patients often commencing treatment at a reduced dose.
Action if Overdose Suspected
The national health service advises patients who have ingested more than their prescribed dose to promptly contact NHS 111 for guidance.