More than 20,000 bottles of blood pressure medication are being recalled after manufacturers found some batches to be 'super-potent'. Viatris is recalling 21,620 bottles of Telmisartan and Amlodipine tablets, a medication used to treat blood pressure. The company found that some batches contain too much telmisartan.
Reason for the recall
Viatris stated: "Superpotent Drug: potential for the Telmisartan content in these lots to exceed specifications." The medication is produced in India for Viatris, a firm based in Morgantown, West Virginia, and is available across the United States. The recall has been issued by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Product details and batch numbers
The FDA notice listed the product description as: "Telmisartan and Amlodipine, Tablets, USP, 40mg/5 mg, 30-count Bottle, Rx only, Manufactured for: Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc., Morgantown, WV 26505 USA, Made in India, NDC 0378-1075-93."
The batch numbers are: "Lot # 3228113, 3228114, 3228115, Exp Date: Oct 31, 2026; Lot # 3228120, 3228121, Exp Date: Nov 30, 2026."
Recall classification and patient advice
The recall was first issued on October 1. It is a 'class III' recall, which means "use of or exposure to a violative product is not likely to cause adverse health consequences." However, patients are still being urged to check their bottles and return them to the pharmacist they purchased them from.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is "very common," according to the NHS. It says "older adults" are more likely to suffer from the symptom-less disease. Risk factors include a strong family history of high blood pressure, being of Black African, Black Caribbean or South Asian ethnic background, having an unhealthy high-salt diet, being overweight, smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or prolonged stress.
If left untreated, it can lead to more serious problems like heart attacks or strokes. That is why over-40s can get a free blood pressure check at their GP or some pharmacies.
