Recall of one lot of pms-Hydromorphone due to packaging error that could potentially lead to overdose
Summary
Check your bottle of pms-Hydromorphone to ensure you have the correct tablets. Stop using product from the affected lot and contact your pharmacy immediately for a replacement product.
Affected products
| Product | DIN | Lot | Expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmascience Inc. pms-Hydromorphone 2 mg Hydromorphone Hydrochloride Tablets Bottles of 100 tablets |
00885436 | 639268 | 31-01-2026 |
Issue
Pharmascience Inc. is recalling one lot of pms-Hydromorphone, 2 mg tablets, (lot 639268) as the bottles may contain hydromorphone tablets of a different strength (8 mg), meaning they contain higher amounts of hydromorphone. Products from the affected lot were sold between May 2022 and August 2022.
The 2 mg hydromorphone tablets are round and orange with a "2" on one side of the tablet and "pms" on the other side. The 8 mg hydromorphone tablets are round and white with an "8" on one side of the tablet and "pms" on the other side.
Hydromorphone is an opioid medication used to treat pain and opioid use disorder.
Accidentally taking too much hydromorphone (one dose of 8 mg of hydromorphone instead of one dose of 2 mg) or suddenly increasing the dose of hydromorphone could potentially lead to an overdose, which can be life-threatening even in people who have some tolerance to opioids.
Symptoms of hydromorphone overdose may include: dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, slow heartbeat, slow and difficult breathing, cold and clammy skin, seizure, coma and death.
Patients and their caregivers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of hydromorphone overdose, and should seek medical attention immediately if any of these symptoms are noted. If naloxone is available, be prepared to administer it.
The Department is monitoring the company's recall and will inform the public if any new health risks are identified.
What you should do
- Check your bottle of pms-Hydromorphone to ensure you have the correct tablets. The 2 mg hydromorphone tablets are round and orange with a "2" on one side of the tablet and "pms" on the other side. The 8 mg hydromorphone tablets are round and white with an "8" on one side of the tablet and "pms" on the other side.
- Stop using product from the affected lot and contact your pharmacy immediately for a replacement product.
- If you have accidentally taken the 8 mg hydromorphone tablet instead of the 2 mg hydromorphone tablet and you have any health concerns, or are unsure whether you have taken too much hydromorphone, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. If naloxone is available, be prepared to administer it.
- If you have any questions about the recall, contact Pharmascience Inc. at medinfo@pharmascience.com or 1-888-550-6060.
- Report any health product adverse events or complaints to Health Canada.
Additional information
Details
If you have any questions about the recall, contact Pharmascience Inc. at medinfo@pharmascience.com or 1-888-550-6060.
Media and public enquiries
Media Enquiries
Health Canada
613-957-2983
media@hc-sc.gc.ca
Public Enquiries
613-957-2991
1-866-225-0709
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