Sunday, July 13, 2008

Ratio-Morphine Tablets Recalled in Canada due to Risk of Accidental Overdose

From Health Canada:
Health Canada is warning consumers not to use the prescription drug ratio-Morphine SR in 15 milligram (mg), 30 mg, and 60 mg formats. Some tablets may contain more morphine than the label indicates, exposing patients to the potential risk of accidental overdose. Oversized tablets that are noticeably thicker than the regular tablets, and which may contain more morphine than the strength indicated, have been found on the Canadian market. Ratio-Morphine SR tablets are taken orally for the relief of severe pain.

Symptoms of an overdose include abnormal breathing, dizziness, confusion or extreme drowsiness, cold or clammy skin, and abnormally low blood pressure and heart rate. A severe overdose may result in coma, cardiac arrest and death.

The Canadian distributor, ratiopharm, has initiated a recall of the affected lots after two separate complaints were received by the U.S. manufacturer, KV Pharmaceutical.

Health Canada advises consumers currently using ratio-Morphine SR at the 15 mg, 30 mg or 60 mg strength not to take these products and to contact their treating physician immediately to obtain a suitable alternative product for their medical condition. Consumers should return the product to their pharmacist for safe disposal. ...more

1 comment:

Unknown said...

About 2 months ago my pharmacist automatically switched me from the brand name mscontin 100mg to a generic...the generic was much larger, round and the same colour blue....

When I took my morning dose at the same time as I normally would, I immediately fell back to sleep....this happened 3 days in row, and I had to see my doctor to get a new script for the brand name again....I told him then I thought I was getting way too much morphine delivered too fast....the pharamcists of course denied it and said it was in my head....

I know they have only been mentioning the the smaller dosages but I think it applies to the 100mg as well.

just my belief...