Health Canada warns of mix-up between high and low blood pressure pills

Health Canada has issued a public advisory and recall notice after learning that some medications labelled as treatment for high blood pressure may in fact contain pills to treat low blood pressure. Taking the wrong medication can lead to serious side effects such as a dangerous increase in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting and organ damage.

The problem concerns medications produced by Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc. , an Ottawa-based company that manufactures and distributes more than 170 dosages covering a variety of medical conditions.

Marcan is recalling two lots of MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets after discovering that some bottles may contain the wrong tablets, which they have identified as midodrine 2.5 mg tablets.

MAR-Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain in adults and children 6 years of age and older, Health Canada reports. The tablets are white to off-white, flat and eight-sided, with a line across the middle. One side has “210” and “5” printed on it, and the other side is blank.

Midodrine 2.5 mg tablets on the other hand are white, round and marked with “M2” on one side and have a line across the middle on the other side. They are used to treat low blood pressure.

The affected product is MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg, DIN 02371715, from lots 2472021 and 2472021A, with an expiry date of July 2027, according to the public advisory.

Health Canada has warned that substituting amlodipine (5 mg) with midodrine (2.5 mg) can lead to serious side effects, and that patients with other conditions (e.g., pheochromocytoma, glaucoma or hyperthyroidism) and those taking other medications could experience different side effects with varying levels of severity if they take the midodrine by mistake.

“Some patients may not experience any symptoms if their blood pressure is elevated, and may only know by measuring their blood pressure,” Health Canada noted in its advisory. “Elevated blood pressure without symptoms can still result in significant harm to a patient.”

It added: “Children taking the wrong medication may face a higher risk of serious side effects and potential harm.”

The government advises anyone taking MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets to check the bottle and, if it contains any unusual tablets or if the consumer is unsure, to return it to the pharmacy.

Consumers should contact their health care professional or call 911 if they are dizzy, have unusually high blood pressure or slow heartbeats, and should seek immediate medical attention if they experience chest pain, a sudden headache, an inability to move or feel a part of their body, or impaired speech.

Health care professionals such as pharmacists should also check packages and bottles labelled MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg before dispensing to make sure they do not contain midodrine 2.5 mg tablets. “Report any unusual bottles or other issues to the company and Health Canada ,” it states.

“Health Canada is monitoring the company’s recall and investigation, including its implementation of corrective and preventive actions to stop this issue from reoccurring,” the government noted. “The Department will inform the public if any new health risks are identified.”

National Post has reached out to Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc. for more information.

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