Urgent safety warning issued over commonly-taken drug due to dangerous dosage problem
Patients taking a common blood pressure medication have been urged to check their supply due to the risk they could double the intended dose and suffer harmful side effects.
British regulators issued the warning on packs of lercanidipine hydrochloride tablets due to a misprint on the label.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said some packs of 20mg tablets had been mislabelled as containing 10mg tablets and then distributed to patients who normally take the lower dosage.
Taking too much of the drug can cause problems like a fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness and drowsiness.
The MHRA said patients should check if their medication, from Recordati Pharmaceuticals Limited, has the batch number MD4L07 with an expiry date of January 2028.
This code is printed on the foil of the blister pack.
More than 7,700 packs affected by the recall have been distributed, according to the MHRA.
The regulator said patients who normally take the 10mg version of the pill, and have an affected batch, should contact their GP or pharmacist or NHS 111.
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
If this isn't possible, they should take half a 20mg tablet as a temporary measure until they can speak to a medical professional.
Patients on the 20mg dose should check the medication is the correct dosage and then take it as normal, though if they have any concerns they should contact their pharmacist.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer said: 'Patient safety is our top priority. We ask patients to check their medicine packaging and follow our advice.
'Healthcare professionals such as pharmacists are also being asked to stop supplying medicine from the affected batch and to return it to the supplier.'
Recordati Pharmaceuticals Limited is also issuing a recall of packages which have not yet been distributed to patients.
Lercanidipine is a blood pressure medication and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body.
Tablets come as either a 10mg or 20mg dosage that patients take once per day, with patients usually starting on a lower dose.
Any patients who takes more than their advised dose should contact NHS 111.
NHS backed data shows 4million prescriptions of lercanidipine hydrochloride were distributed in England last year.
