Tejal Somvanshi
A medication used by thousands of Canadians to treat high blood pressure and chest pain has been recalled after a dangerous mix-up was discovered. Health Canada and Nora Pharma have issued an urgent recall for NRA-Amlodipine 5 mg tablets because some bottles contain the wrong medication entirely.
The recall affects a single lot of the medication: Lot No. EM240229 with an expiry date of August 2027. Inside some of these bottles, instead of amlodipine, patients may find metoprolol succinate 12.5 mg tablets—a completely different heart medication that could cause serious health problems if taken mistakenly.
How to Check Your Medication
The mix-up is visually detectable. The correct NRA-Amlodipine tablets have a distinctive appearance:
- Octagonal shape (eight-sided)
- Off-white color
- Flat surface
- Scored in the middle
- Marked with ‘210’ and ‘5’ on one side
If your bottle contains round white tablets, you likely have the wrong medication and should stop taking them immediately.
Health Risks of Taking the Wrong Pills
While both medications treat heart-related conditions, taking metoprolol when you need amlodipine can trigger dangerous side effects, including:
- Dangerously low blood pressure
- Difficulty breathing
- Abnormally slow heart rate
The risks are even higher for vulnerable groups. Children may face more severe reactions, as might patients with existing conditions like heart failure, asthma, diabetes, or severe peripheral arterial disease.
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What to Do If You Have the Recalled Medication
Health Canada advises patients who discover round tablets in their NRA-Amlodipine bottles to:
- Return the bottle to your pharmacy for a replacement
- Continue taking your correct medication as prescribed
- Do NOT take any round tablets found in the bottle
- Contact a healthcare provider immediately if you experience dizziness, unusually low blood pressure, or slow heartbeats
- Call 911 if you cannot reach a healthcare professional and are experiencing these symptoms
“If you’re unsure about the appearance of your medication, don’t take chances,” Health Canada emphasizes in their advisory. “Bring it to your pharmacist for verification.”
Regulatory Response
Health Canada is actively monitoring Nora Pharma’s recall and investigation process, including the implementation of corrective actions to prevent similar errors in the future. The agency has instructed pharmacies to inspect all bottles of this medication before dispensing.
This recall highlights the importance of visually checking your medications before taking them, especially when receiving a new prescription or refill. The simple step of looking at your pills could prevent serious health complications.
