Lercanidipine Recall 2026: MHRA Issues Warning Over Blood Pressure Tablets
The MHRA has recalled a batch of lercanidipine 10mg tablets after a packaging error led to 20mg tablets being included. Find out which batch is affected, possible side effects and what patients should do.
MHRA Announces Recall of Lercanidipine Blood Pressure Medication
Patients taking medication to manage high blood pressure are being advised to check their tablets following a safety warning from the UK's medicines regulator.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced a recall involving one batch of Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 10mg Film-Coated Tablets manufactured by Accord-UK Ltd. The action follows a reported packaging error in which a blister strip containing 20mg tablets was mistakenly placed inside a carton labelled as 10mg medication.
The warning, issued on 29 October 2026, highlights the importance of checking medication packaging and tablet strengths before taking prescription medicines.
Although the likelihood of the mix-up is considered very low, taking a higher strength than prescribed could potentially cause an excessive reduction in blood pressure and lead to unwanted symptoms.
Patients who believe they have received incorrectly packaged medication are being advised to contact their pharmacy for guidance.
Which Lercanidipine Tablets Are Affected by the Recall?
The recall concerns a specific batch of Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 10mg Film-Coated Tablets supplied by Accord-UK Ltd.
Patients and pharmacy teams should look for the following product details:
- Medicine: Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 10mg Film-Coated Tablets
- Manufacturer: Accord-UK Ltd
- Affected batch number: M2510877
- Expiry date: November 2028
- Pack size: 28 tablets
- First distribution date: 24 June 2026
The problem was identified after one complaint was received involving a sealed carton of 10mg tablets.
An investigation found that the pack contained one blister strip of the correctly labelled 10mg tablets and another blister strip containing 20mg tablets. The incorrect blister strip belonged to batch M2510831.
The MHRA has confirmed that the recall is a precautionary measure following this packaging error.
It is important to note that this is a batch-specific recall. Not every pack of lercanidipine or every manufacturer of the medicine is affected.
What Should Patients Do If They Take Lercanidipine?
Patients who have been prescribed Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 10mg tablets and received an Accord-UK Ltd pack should check the batch number printed on the outer carton.
If the batch number is M2510877, carefully inspect the labels on the blister strips inside.
The MHRA has provided the following advice:
If the blister strips are labelled 10mg: Patients can continue taking their medication as prescribed. No further action is required.
If a blister strip is labelled 20mg: Do not take tablets from that strip. Contact your pharmacist for advice and assistance in obtaining the correct medication.
If you have already taken the incorrect strength: Anyone who believes they have taken 20mg tablets instead of their prescribed 10mg dose and is experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, flushing or palpitations should seek immediate medical advice.
Patients should take their medicine packaging, patient information leaflet and any remaining tablets when speaking to their pharmacist or GP.
Importantly, patients should not independently stop their regular blood pressure treatment simply because they have seen news about the recall. The MHRA's advice depends on the batch number and the strength printed on the blister strips.
Anyone who is uncertain about their medication should speak to a pharmacist or another healthcare professional.
What Are the Possible Side Effects of Taking the Wrong Lercanidipine Dose?
Lercanidipine is a prescription medicine used to treat high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
It belongs to a group of medicines called calcium channel blockers. These medicines work by relaxing blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily and helping to reduce blood pressure.
The medication is available in different strengths, including 10mg and 20mg tablets.
According to the MHRA, a patient prescribed 10mg who accidentally takes 20mg daily for approximately two weeks could experience a stronger-than-intended effect from the medication.
This may cause blood pressure to fall more than expected.
Potential symptoms include:
- Dizziness: A person may feel light-headed, particularly when standing up.
- Headaches: Some patients may experience headaches following an excessive reduction in blood pressure.
- Flushing: The skin may become unusually warm or red.
- Palpitations: Patients may notice an unusually fast, strong or noticeable heartbeat.
- Symptomatic hypotension: This refers to low blood pressure that causes symptoms such as weakness, dizziness or feeling faint.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms after potentially taking the incorrect strength should obtain prompt medical advice.
Severe symptoms, including fainting, collapse or chest pain, require urgent medical assessment.
Is the Higher 20mg Strength Dangerous?
The MHRA has explained that lercanidipine 20mg remains within the authorised therapeutic dose range for routine use of this medication.
This means that 20mg is an approved strength when prescribed appropriately.
However, taking 20mg when a patient has specifically been prescribed 10mg may increase the medicine's blood-pressure-lowering effect and could cause unwanted symptoms.
The regulator has also highlighted that the two strengths have different tablet colours, which may help patients and healthcare professionals identify a packaging error.
Based on the information currently available, the likelihood of the packaging defect occurring is considered very low.
Nevertheless, the recall remains important because medication strength errors can create avoidable risks, particularly for patients who rely on carefully managed treatment for hypertension.
Why Has the MHRA Issued the Recall?
The MHRA is responsible for regulating medicines and medical devices in the UK, helping ensure that products meet appropriate standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.
In this case, the recall was initiated by Accord-UK Ltd after a complaint revealed that a carton labelled as containing 10mg tablets included a blister strip of 20mg medication.
Healthcare professionals have been instructed to stop supplying the affected batch immediately.
Pharmacies and wholesalers must quarantine any remaining stock and return it to their suppliers through approved procedures.
The MHRA has confirmed that the recall is being conducted at pharmacy and wholesaler level. It is not a general instruction for every patient taking lercanidipine to discontinue treatment.
Patients who find an incorrectly labelled blister strip should contact their pharmacy rather than continuing to use it.
What Should Patients Remember About the Lercanidipine Recall?
The latest medicine safety warning highlights why patients should regularly check prescription medication packaging, particularly when a specific batch has been identified by the regulator.
Anyone prescribed Accord-UK Ltd Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 10mg tablets should check whether their carton carries batch number M2510877.
If the blister strips are correctly labelled 10mg, treatment can continue as prescribed. If a 20mg blister strip is found inside the affected carton, patients should not take those tablets and should contact their pharmacy.
People who believe they have taken the incorrect strength and develop symptoms should seek immediate medical advice.
Patients should also remember that the recall affects one identified batch and does not mean that all lercanidipine medicines have been withdrawn from use.
For the latest updates and official patient guidance, consult the MHRA website or speak directly to a pharmacist or GP.
Sources
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Class 2 Medicines Recall: Accord-UK Ltd, Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 10mg Film-Coated Tablets, EL(26)A/45, published 29 October 2026.
- Community Pharmacy England, MHRA Class 2 Medicines Recall: Lercanidipine Hydrochloride 10mg Film-Coated Tablets, 29 October 2026.
- The Pharmacist, Hypertension Drug Recalled Due to Packaging Error, 30 October 2026.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and awareness purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Patients should follow official MHRA guidance and consult their pharmacist, GP or another qualified healthcare professional regarding medication concerns. Do not change or discontinue prescribed blood pressure medication without appropriate professional advice.