Health Canada Issues Urgent Nationwide Recall for Blood Pressure Medication
Health Canada has announced a critical Canada-wide recall for a widely prescribed blood pressure medication following the discovery of a potentially dangerous pharmaceutical mix-up. The recall affects MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets, which are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain.
Dangerous Drug Substitution Discovered
According to the public health advisory issued by Health Canada, certain bottles labelled as MAR-Amlodipine may actually contain midodrine 2.5 mg tablets instead. This represents a particularly hazardous substitution, as these two medications have opposite therapeutic purposes. While amlodipine is designed to lower high blood pressure, midodrine is specifically prescribed to treat low blood pressure conditions.
The manufacturer, Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc., has confirmed the error and is cooperating with health authorities to address the situation. The affected products come from specific lots with identification numbers 2472021 and 2472021A, carrying an expiry date of July 2027.
Serious Health Risks Identified
Health Canada has outlined several potentially life-threatening consequences that could result from taking the wrong medication. Taking midodrine instead of amlodipine could lead to dangerously high blood pressure, which in turn increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular emergencies.
Additional symptoms and risks include:
- Severe dizziness and fainting episodes
- Abnormally slow heartbeats
- Potential organ damage from sustained high blood pressure
- Increased risk for children who might accidentally take the wrong medication
The agency has emphasized that children may face particularly severe consequences if exposed to the incorrect medication, making this recall especially urgent for households with pediatric patients.
How to Identify the Affected Medication
Consumers and healthcare professionals can distinguish between the correct and incorrect medications through several visual indicators. The proper MAR-Amlodipine tablets have eight sides, appear white to off-white in colour, and feature the numbers "210" and "5" printed on one side.
In contrast, the incorrectly packaged Midodrine 2.5 mg tablets are round in shape and marked with "M2" on their surface. Health Canada advises both consumers and medical professionals to carefully inspect any bottles of MAR-Amlodipine before use or dispensing.
Immediate Actions Required
Health Canada has provided clear instructions for individuals who may have the affected medication. If your bottle contains the wrong tablets, do not take them under any circumstances and return them immediately to your pharmacy.
For those who may have already taken the incorrect medication, the agency recommends:
- Consulting a healthcare professional immediately
- Calling 911 if experiencing dizziness, unusually high blood pressure, or slow heartbeat
- Seeking emergency medical attention for chest pain, sudden severe headaches, impaired speech, or loss of movement or sensation in any body part
Healthcare professionals have been instructed to carefully check all bottles before dispensing medications and to report any issues directly to Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc. or Health Canada.
This recall highlights the importance of pharmaceutical safety protocols and serves as a reminder for consumers to remain vigilant about their medications. Health Canada continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
