Urgent Recall of Blood Pressure Pills Over Hyperkalemia Risk

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has issued an urgent recall of 114 batches of 750mg potassium chloride extended-release capsules, claiming that the pills had a faulty dissolution mechanism that led to a risk of hyperkalemia.

In an official press release, the company claimed that hyperkalemia, or high potassium levels, can lead to an irregular heartbeat, which may result in a heart attack.

“For patients who require chronic use of potassium chloride extended-release oral capsules, especially in those patients with underlying comorbidities or conditions that cause altered excretory mechanisms for potassium such as hypertension, heart failure, or renal dysfunction, there is a reasonable probability of developing hyperkalemia that may lead to a range of severity of adverse events from being asymptomatic to more severe potential life threatening adverse events of hyperkalemia such as cardiac arrythmias, severe muscle weakness, and death,” cautions the company.

Though Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has issued the urgent recall, they have also made clear that there have been no reports of any “adverse events” from the defective pills.

The company is also arranging for the return of defective batches by written letter to affected distributors. Customers who have already purchased affected pills are urged to call Inmar Rx Solutions at 1-877-883-9273, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, for details on how to return their products.

This urgent recall is the latest in a long line of recalls of consumer products. Last week, more than 13 brands of ice cream were recalled over listeria concerns.

The official notice states that Totally Cool, Inc. has recalled more than a dozen distinct brands of ice cream products that were distributed nationwide through retail stores and home delivery services.

Due to the FDA sample’s potential presence of Listeria monocytogenes, the Maryland-based company was forced to recall the product and halt distribution of its ice cream.

Listeria infection is a foodborne bacterial infection that can be very harmful for those 65 years of age or older, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems, according to the Mayo Clinic. The primary cause of it is consuming unpasteurized milk products and improperly prepared deli meats.

Infections with listeria are rarely harmful to healthy people, but they can be fatal to infants, expectant mothers, and people with weakened immune systems. Prompt antibiotic treatment may mitigate the symptoms of a listeria infection.

Due to the resistance of listeria germs to freezing and refrigeration, the sweet delicacies have been impacted. Therefore, those who are more prone to serious infections should avoid foods that are more likely to contain listeria germs.