Companies Are Recalling Blood Pressure Medications Over Significant Concerns

(PatriotWise.com) — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary nationwide recall of 135 batches of potassium chloride medication manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals.

According to a June 25 FDA recall alert, New Jersey-based Glenmark Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled 114 batches of 750 mg potassium chloride capsules because the capsules failed to dissolve as they should.

In a separate recall alert from June 26, the FDA announced that American Health Packaging and BluePoint Laboratories had voluntarily recalled 21 batches of the 100- and 500-count 750 mg potassium chloride capsules also manufactured by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals because the capsules were not correctly dissolving.

According to the FDA, time-released potassium chloride capsules that do not correctly dissolve could cause high potassium levels (hyperkalemia), which could cause an irregular heartbeat that may lead to cardiac arrest.

The FDA warned that those who regularly use extended-release capsules of potassium chloride for hypertension, heart failure, or kidney dysfunction have a “reasonable probability” of developing hyperkalemia, which could lead to “adverse events” that range in severity from no symptoms to life-threatening conditions, like severe muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmia, or even death.

A complete list of the 135 batch numbers affected by the recall can be found on the FDA website. The list of 114 batches recalled by Glenmark Pharmaceuticals can be found HERE, while the list of 21 American Health Packaging batches sold by BluePoint Laboratories can be found in the recall alert from the FDA.

Those who have medications from any of the affected batches should contact their physician before they stop taking the medication to arrange alternative treatments.

Those who experience any medical difficulties from taking the affected medication should contact their doctor and also notify the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Reporting program, either online or by calling 800-332-1088, to request a reporting form.

Patients can also contact Inmar Rx Solutions (877-883-9273) if they have any of the recalled batches sold by Glenmark to ask about returning the medication.

Those with capsules sold by BluePoint Laboratories should contact Sedgwick (855-695-8564) to request return information.