Urgent recall of blood pressure medications over fear pills can cause irregular heart beat, cardiac arrest
As many as 135 batches of blood pressure medications have been recalled amid concerns that the pill capsules do not dissolve properly when taken by patients.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has initiated a voluntary recall of 114 lots of 750 mg potassium chloride in bottles of 100 and 500 pills, with all specific lot numbers and expiration dates listed in a document distributed by the FDA.
The same goes for American health packaging voluntarily recalled 21 batches of the same drug on behalf of BluePoint Laboratories.
According to one company announcementFailure to dissolve the extended-release potassium chloride capsules may lead to high blood potassium levels, also known as hyperkalemia.
Hyperkalemia can cause an ‘irregular heartbeat that can lead to cardiac arrest.’
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals recently initiated a voluntary recall of 114 lots of 750 mg potassium chloride in bottles of 100 and 500 pills
Pictured: The defective pill capsules recalled by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals and American Health Packaging
Pictured: The label on the bottle containing 500 capsules of the recalled blood pressure medication
Pictured: The label on the bottle containing 500 capsules of the recalled blood pressure medication branded BluePoint Laboratories
Patients who use this drug to treat high blood pressure and prevent heart or kidney failure are at great risk, because the delivery of the pills to the body is compromised.
People prescribed these specific recalled lots may experience a range of symptoms of hyperkalemia, including “heart rhythm disturbances, severe muscle weakness, and death.”
Glenmark has not yet received any reports of hyperkalemia or any of the side effects described.
These potassium chloride pills have already been distributed to wholesalers, distributors and retailers across the country. Glenmark wrote letters to these customers asking them to immediately remove the products from the shelves.
People prescribed this medicine are told to consult their doctor before stopping taking it.
Additionally, the company advises consumers to call their doctor or health care provider if they experience the onset of symptoms of hyperkalemia.
The FDA urges people to report adverse events to the MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, or by fax.