Paracetamol pills urgently recalled due to contamination concerns

People are being urged to check the batch number on the label

An urgent product recall warning has been placed on specific batches of paracetamol pills manufactured by Chelonia Healthcare Limited.

The alert was issued on Monday by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

The warning states that the manufacturer is recalling specific batches of Paracetamol 500mg Tablets (100 pots) as a precautionary measure.

The recall is reportedly "due to contamination following a small number of complaints of discoloured tablets within the pots."

The details of the batch affected are as follows:

- Paracetamol 500mg Tablets

- PL: 33414/0126

- SNOMED code: 33554711000001108

- GTIN: 05060014445506

Affected Lot Batch Numbers:

• Batch No.\u0009Expiry Date\u0009Pack Size\u0009First Distributed
• 2312010\u000930/11/2027\u0009100 tablets (pots)\u000914/04/2025
• 2312011\u000931/11/2027\u0009100 tablets (pots)\u000915/05/2025

The alert advises: "Patients or carers should check to see if they have received tablets from the listed batches of Paracetamol 500 mg Tablets.

"The batch number can be found on the label of the medicine bottle and on the outer carton. These tablets can only be obtained from a pharmacy with a prescription.

"The number of tablets you will have been given will vary depending on your prescription and you may have only received a small number of tablets."

The statement further added: "The tablets should be 'white capsule-shaped tablets, scored on one side', as per the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL).

"If you find tablets that are discoloured in any way, in pots from the listed batches, please contact your pharmacist or the healthcare professional who dispensed your prescription.

"Patients who experience adverse reactions or have any questions about the medication, should seek medical attention. Any suspected adverse reactions should also be reported via the MHRA Yellow Card scheme."

The MHRA has categorised the recall as Class 2, indicating that while the defect could lead to mistreatment or harm, it is not considered life-threatening or serious.

Pharmacists have received clear instructions: "Stop supplying the above batches immediately. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your supplier, using your supplier's approved process."

You can find out more information here.