Class 2 Medicines Recall: Xarelto 20 mg film-coated tablets (Rivaroxaban)
Strathclyde Pharmaceuticals Ltd is recalling a single batch of Xarelto 20mg film-coated tablets (Rivaroxaban) because of reports of rogue blister strips of 15 mg tablets within two packs of 20 mg tablets.
Product information
MDR number
MDR 120-09/17
Company name
Strathclyde Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Product description
Xarelto 20 mg film-coated tablets (Rivaroxaban)
Batch number/expiry
- Batch Number: BXHHDR1
- Expiry Date: 09/2019
- Pack Size: 28 tablets
- First Distributed: 18/09/2017
Brief description of the problem
Strathclyde Pharmaceuticals Ltd has received a report of a rogue blister strip of 15 mg tablets within two packs of 20 mg tablets and has decided to recall this batch. The labelling on one side of the blister strips reflects the correct strength of the tablets as shown in the diagrams
Advice for healthcare professionals
Please take the following actions:
- Quarantine any remaining stock from batch BXHHDR1 and return it to the original supplier.
- Identify patients or carers that have received Strathclyde Pharmaceuticals Ltd Xarelto 20 mg tablets (including in compliance aids) since the 18 September 2017 inclusive.
- Contact these patients or carers to notify them of this issue and to ask them whether the tablets have batch BXHHDR1 printed on any of the packaging.
- Ask patients or carers who have received batch BXHHDR1 to check if any of the blisters or tablets are labelled as 15 mg.
- If the patient or carer finds any of the blisters or tablets labelled as 15 mg, they should be asked to return the tablets to the pharmacy where they were purchased or dispensed. If the tablets and blisters inside the carton are the correct strength of 20 mg, patients or carers do not need to return the tablets to the pharmacy.
- If the patient or carer does have tablets of the incorrect strength, make sure that you provide new supplies of this medicine from other batches. It is important for patients not to interrupt their treatment unless instructed by healthcare professionals.
- If patients have been dispensed Strathclyde Pharmaceuticals Ltd Xarelto 20 mg tablets in compliance aids since 18 September 2017 inclusive, patients or carers should be asked to return the compliance aids to the pharmacy in order to be issued with replacements.
Wholesalers
Wholesalers are requested to return any remaining stock of batch BXHHDR1 to their original supplier for credit.
Patients
If you have received any Xarelto (rivaroxaban) 20 mg tablets since the 18 September 2017 inclusive, please check if BXHHDR1 is printed on any of the packaging.
If BXHHDR1 is printed anywhere on the packaging, check if there are any tablets or blisters in the carton labelled 15 mg. If so, please speak to your healthcare professional as soon as possible about obtaining a replacement pack.
It is important that you do not interrupt your treatment unless instructed by healthcare professionals.
If you have been dispensed Xarelto (rivaroxaban) 20 mg tablets in compliance aids (containers with all the medication for each day of the week) since 18 September 2017 inclusive, please return all your compliance aids to the pharmacy in order to be issued with replacements.
If you experience side-effects, or have any questions or concerns about your health, speak to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. Any suspected side effects can be reported to MHRA through our medicines safety monitoring system, the Yellow Card Scheme or by downloading the Yellow Card App.
Medical information enquiries
For medical information enquiries please contact Julie Cummings on 01355 574450.
Stock enquiries
For stock enquiries please contact Shirley Gorrell on 01355 574450.
Download document
Recipients of this Drug Alert should bring it to the attention of relevant contacts by copy of this letter. NHS regional teams are asked to forward this to relevant clinics, dispensing general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists for information.