Patients who take a common blood pressure medication have been urged to check the packaging after a labelling error. Some packs of lercanidipine have been incorrectly labelled on some sides as 10mg when they contain 20mg tablets. The correct strength is printed on the top of the carton and on the blister strips.

Lercanidipine is a calcium channel blocked medicine used to treat hight blood pressure. A recall notice issued by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the issue affected packs with the batch number MD4L07 with an expiry date of 01/2028. 

It added: “Patients who have been prescribed 10 mg tablets and have received tablets with this batch number (printed on the foil of the blister strips) should contact your pharmacist or GP immediately.

“In the event that the GP or pharmacist cannot be reached, please call NHS 111 for advice on continuing your medication.”

If patients are unable to speak to a healthcare professional before they need to take another dose, the MHRA advised them to verify the strength of the tablets by checking the foil of the blister strips.

Patients needing to take 10mg could then snap each tablet in half along the break line. The MHRA notice added: “This is a temporary measure until you can talk to your pharmacist or doctor.”

Patients prescribed 20mg tablets were also advised to check the strength of their pills by checking the information on the foil of the blister strips before taking them.

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer said: "Patient safety is our top priority. We ask patients to check their medicine packaging and follow our advice.

"Healthcare professionals such as pharmacists are also being asked to stop supplying medicine from the affected batch and to return it to the supplier.

"Please report any suspected adverse reactions via the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme."