Blood pressure medication is one of the most common types of medicines in use in the United States.
But this month, a nationwide recall has impacted more than 13,000 bottles of blood pressure medication due to a possibility that the drug may not work as expected. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s happened?
Earlier this month, Inventia Healthcare Limited, a pharmaceutical company based in India, initiated a voluntary recall of one of its Chlorthalidone-based blood pressure medications.
However, this recall wasn’t widely publicized until later this month, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted an enforcement report in which the agency categorized the recall with a Class II designation.
A Class II Recall is one in which the “ use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” according to the FDA.
A Class II categorization is the second-highest designation a recall can receive.
According ot the FDA’s enforcement report, the reason for the recall is “Failed Dissolution Specifications.”
As noted by Good Housekeeping, the Chlorthalidone tablets need to dissolve in the body to be most effective, and if they do not, the blood pressure medication may not work as optimally as intended.
Which blood pressure medication is being recalled?
According to the FDA’s enforcement report, only one blood pressure medication is included in this recall. However, the recall covers a significant amount of pills—13,567 bottles, to be exact.
Those bottles were distributed nationwide; however, the enforcement report does not specify which pharmacies or other businesses distributed or received the medication.
As for the blood pressure medication being recalled, the report says it includes the following chlorthalidone tablets:
- Product Description: Chlorthalidone Tablets, USP, 25 mg, 100 Tablets per bottle, Rx only.
- Manufactured by: Inventia Healthcare Limited.
- NDC: 64980-599-01
- Batch #: RISA24002
- Exp Date: 04/2027
What should I do if I have the recalled blood pressure medication?
The FDA’s enforcement notice does not tell consumers who have the medication what action to take.
However, Health.com says the best course of action is to contact your doctor or pharmacist before making any changes to your medication intake.