A rogue tablet of oxycodone found on the packaging line of a blood pressure medication manufacturing plant spurred a recall late last month.
The pharmaceutical company KVK-Tech issued an urgent recall notice over a specific batch of its 10-mg betaxolol tablets due to possible opioid contamination. The particular lot had been distributed nationwide to numerous wholesalers and retailers.
According to the notice, which was issued through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there have been no reports of foreign matter found in any packaged products. However, the 5-mg oxycodone tablets that might have gotten mixed up in the recalled lot are very similar in appearance to betaxolol.
The presence of one tablet on the packaging line is enough to cause concern since opioids can complicate heart conditions by exacerbating the potential side effects of betaxolol. Additionally, some patients with blood pressure issues might have additional heart and lung issues that could be aggravated by any contamination.
Betaxolol is used to treat hypertension, among other cardiovascular issues. Many things can increase a person’s risk of hypertension, such as genetics, consuming a high-salt diet, drinking too much alcohol, and being overweight or obese.
Obesity is increasingly prevalent in the United States. It can lead to various negative health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancers, depression, and more, as extensively covered by The Dallas Express.
Oxycodone is a narcotic typically prescribed to relieve severe pain. However, it can be quite addictive, resulting in it being one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs in the United States, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
In fact, many fentanyl-laced pills made by counterfeiters are disguised and pushed by dealers as authentic oxycodone tablets, as previously covered by The Dallas Express.
The rise in fentanyl-related deaths — with just 2 mg representing a potentially fatal dose — has led lawmakers and community groups to take action to curb the alarming trend. For instance, in Texas, a new law was recently passed requiring public schools to teach students in grades 6-12 at least one anti-drug lesson per year, as reported by The Dallas Express.
Pennsylvania-based KVK-Tech has promised reimbursements for people who have purchased the recalled medication.
The product affected by the recall would have been labeled as batch number 17853A and would carry an expiration date of June 2027.
Customers with questions about the recall can speak to a company representative at (215) 579-1842 Ext: 6002 or write them an email at [email protected].
