RECALL: Wrong medication with opposite effect possibly sold in Canada

Certain pill bottles have been recalled in Canada because they may contain the wrong medication, which could lead to serious health effects.

An advisory from Health Canada said that low blood pressure pills may be in bottles that are supposed to contain medication to treat high blood pressure and chest pain.

“Marcan Pharmaceuticals Inc. is recalling two lots of MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets because some bottles may contain the wrong tablets, which they have identified as midodrine 2.5 mg tablets,” the advisory said.

“MAR-Amlodipine is used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain in adults and children 6 years of age and older….

“Midodrine is used to treat low blood pressure and substituting amlodipine (5 mg) with midodrine (2.5 mg) can lead to serious side effects such as a dangerous increase in blood pressure, dizziness, fainting and organ damage.”

Officials said patients with other conditions and those who take other medication could experience different side effects with varying levels of severity.

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

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

Consumers were advised to immediately check their bottle of MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets. Officials said that the correct tablets are white to off-white, flat, eight-sided and have a line across the middle. One side has “210” and “5” printed on it, while the other side is blank.

The incorrect tablets are white, round, and have “M2” on one side and a line across the middle on the other side.

“If your bottle contains any round tablets, return the bottle to your pharmacy for a replacement. Do not take the round tablets. Contact your health care professional or call 911 if you are dizzy, have unusually high blood pressure or slow heartbeats,” the advisory said.

“Seek immediate medical attention if you have chest pain, a sudden headache, an inability to move or feel a part of your body, or impaired speech.”

Health Canada said that it’s monitoring the company’s recall and investigation, as well as corrective and preventive actions to prevent this issue from happening again.

“The department will inform the public if any new health risks are identified,” it said.

Health-care professionals are also being encouraged to check packages and bottles of MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg to ensure they contain the correct tablets.