Health Canada Recalls Blood Pressure Medication After Wrong Drug Found in Some Bottles

Health Canada has issued a safety warning after discovering that some bottles of a commonly prescribed blood pressure medication may contain the wrong drug, posing potentially serious health risks to patients.

The recall involves two specific lots of MAR-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets, a medication used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. According to the advisory, certain bottles labelled as MAR-Amlodipine may instead contain midodrine 2.5 mg tablets, a drug prescribed for low blood pressure.

Health officials say the mix-up could be dangerous. Taking midodrine instead of amlodipine may cause a sudden and dangerous rise in blood pressure, along with symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, slowed heart rate, and possible damage to vital organs. Children are considered to be at an even higher risk if they ingest the incorrect medication.

The affected product carries DIN 02371715 and comes from lots 2472021 and 2472021A, with an expiry date of July 2027.

Health Canada has provided guidance to help patients identify the correct tablets. Genuine amlodipine tablets are white to off-white, flat, and eight-sided, with a score line across the middle. They are marked “210” and “5” on one side and are blank on the other. The incorrect midodrine tablets are white, round, and marked “M2” on one side.

Patients are being urged to check their medication immediately. Anyone who finds round tablets in their bottle or is unsure about the contents is advised to stop using the medication and return it to a pharmacy right away. Patients should not take any round tablets.

Those who experience symptoms such as dizziness, unusually high blood pressure, or a slow heartbeat are advised to contact a health-care professional or call emergency services. Immediate medical attention is strongly recommended for serious symptoms such as chest pain, sudden severe headaches, difficulty speaking, or numbness or weakness in the body.

Health Canada says it is actively monitoring the recall and the manufacturer’s investigation and will inform the public if further risks are identified. Consumers with questions can contact the manufacturer directly, while pharmacists and health-care professionals have been instructed to carefully inspect bottles before dispensing and to report any irregularities.

The agency is reminding Canadians that medication checks at home are an important step in ensuring patient safety, especially during recalls involving potential drug mix-ups.