Unichem Hydrochlorothiazide Tablet Recall Issued Due To Risk of Plavix Tablets in Bottle

Federal drug regulators announced a recall for one lot of hydrochlorothiazide, after a consumer reportedly found a Plavix blood thinner tablet in their prescription bottle for the blood pressure medication. 

The Unichem Pharmaceuticals Hydrochlorothiazide recall was announced by the FDA on July 31, after at least one bottle was found to contain a clopidogrel tablet, which is the generic name for Plavix.

Accidentally using the blood thinner Plavix instead of the blood pressure tablet hydrochlorothiazide may pose serious and life-threatening risks for consumers, potentially causing internal bleeding, allergic reactions or bleeding complications.

Hydrochlorothiazide tablets are used by individuals to manage high blood pressure to control excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body. The omission or misuse of the medication can lead to uncontrolled blood pressure or swelling caused by the excess fluid.

Plavix is a medication used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with heart disease, recent strokes and heart attacks, or blood circulation disease, and to help prevent irregular heart beat in those who have experienced recent heart attacks. The medication is commonly used with aspirin to keep blood vessels open and prevent blood clots. However, Plavix side effects include a serious risk of bleeding.

Patients with pre-existing or undiagnosed bleeding complications or allergic reactions to clopidogrel may be at risk of life threatening side effects. The FDA is urging consumers to contact their medical doctors immediately if they believe to have ingested a foreign tablet received inside of the recalled lot.

The recalled medication includes Unichem Pharmaceuticals 25 milligram Hydrochlorothiazide tablets prescribed in 1,000 count bottles to the consumer level. The recalled Hydrochlorothiazide tablets have Lot # GHYL15028 and are marked with an expiration date of April, 2018. The tablets were distributed nationwide directly to wholesalers, retailers, and pharmacies from May 21, 2015 through May 28, 2015.

Unichem’s internal investigation announced that this was an isolated event noted at one pharmacy and confined to the recalled lot. The manufacturer has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall to date.

Consumers are being asked to stop using the recalled lot of Hydrochlorothiazide tablets immediately and return them to the place of purchase as the company prepares to contact and notify its distributors and customers by overnight FedEx letters and email. Unichem is currently arranging a return for all products. Customers may contact Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc. by e-mail atregaffairs@unichemusa.com or call customer service at: 1-866-931-0704, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM EST.