Faulty medication is being recalled over cardiac arrest fears

Blood pressure medication is being recalled amid serious safety fears it could cause cardiac arrest. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is recalling 114 batches of potassium chloride extended-release 750mg capsules, available in both 100 and 500 count packs.

Customers are being advised to consult their doctor before discontinuing use of the product or if they experience any issues potentially related to it. The recall was announced amid worries that the capsules may not dissolve correctly, leading to high potassium levels.

While potassium is commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure, excessive amounts can have severe side effects. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shared the announcement, highlighting that hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels, can cause an irregular heartbeat and potentially lead to cardiac arrest.

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Glenmark Pharmaceuticals warned those who regularly use the capsules, especially those with underlying health conditions such as hypertension, heart failure or renal dysfunction, that there is a "reasonable probability of developing hyperkalemia that may lead to a range of severity of adverse events."

These "adverse events" could include "cardiac arrhythmias, severe muscle weakness, and death". However, the notice emphasised that there have been no reported cases of hyperkalemia or "serious adverse events" linked to the recall, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has released a list of the specific batch numbers and expiration dates of the bottles involved in the voluntary recall, as per a document distributed by the FDA. American Health Packaging also voluntarily recalled 21 batches of the same medicine on behalf of BluePoint Laboratories.

The FDA is encouraging individuals to report any adverse events through its MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program, which can be accessed via mail, fax or online. For the latest health and Covid news, sign up to our newsletter here