UK DRUG RECALL NOTICE: MEPACRINE HYDROCHLORIDE 100MG TABLETS (BATCH 85641)

[Paul_Howard]

Hi everyone,

If you are one of the small number of people with lupus who are prescribed mepacrine, please check your tablets. If they are from the affected batch you should not take any and return them as soon as possible to your pharmacy.

The full recall notice published 2nd July 2020 can be found here:

psnc.org.uk/our-news/class-...

[Happykins]

Thank you Paul!

I've just checked the bottle I got from Boots last week, normally the tablets come in brown plastic bottles with no batch number.

Funnily enough, last week's came in a white plastic pot with the number 85641 but I'd not started this pot yet.

Just rang my local Boots - they knew nothing about it.

Been told to return the latest pot, then the pharmacist said that they have four boxes from this batch, earmarked for me as no-one else locally takes mepacrine but not to worry, as they'll order replacements.

Now I'm wondering what about the last couple of months' tablets, including the one's I'm currently taking with no batch number - he said to bring them back as well - eek!

I imagine the risk is small but I'm so grateful to you for posting this.

Do you think I should I let my surgery or rheumatologist in Hereford know as well?

Maybe I'm over reacting but it's a bit worrying that they hadn't contacted me.

Thanks for the info x

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to Happykins]

Hi Happykins ,

Due to the small number of people who actually take this medication, I think it is likely to affect a large proportion of those who are on it. I'm glad that you've seen this information and it has been helpful. As the recall was only announced a couple of hours ago, it is likely that your pharmacy would have had the news very soon.

If you have an email address for your surgery/rheumatology, it couldn't hurt to share the information with them. I imagine it will reach them through other channels though.

[Happykins in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thanks Paul x

[panda60]

I have APS and some symptoms of lupus and have now developed inflammatory arthritis and trying out new medication so the last thing I want to do is to stop Mepacrine which I have been taking since 2001. My chemist called yesterday and asked me to bring in Mepacrine as there is a problem with manufacturer. They are not sure when the drug will be available again.

I am waiting for a call back from my GP although really I need to speak to my rheumatologist - been trying for 10 days to speak to him or one of his staff.

What is concerning me is whether it is safe to just stop suddenly. Does anyone know - can't find any information on the web

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK in reply to panda60]

Is your pharmacist able to advise you regarding the safety of stopping this treatment?

We are not medically qualified and therefore cannot advise you on this matter.

[panda60 in reply to Paul_Howard]

Thanks. My GP has said to contact my consultant but I have been trying to for the last ten days to no avail despite phoning PALS and speaking to the secretary who is trying her best to get me a call. I’ll try again on Monday. Meanwhile call the pharmacy again. I am not at all happy as you can imagine and stress makes everything worse, but doesn’t seem there is much I can do.

[Hullsue]

Hi I contacted the Pharmacy at the hospital who dispense this for me, who checked and their whole stock is from this batch, so told me to contact my consultant for a new prescription, I talked to her secretary who said she would sort it. Not heard anything so phoned her yesterday and she said a prescription was being sorted and should be at the pharmacy, so I phoned them. They hadn't got it but more of a worry is that they are having terrible problems getting hold of any new stock !! So I phoned secretary back who said she would e-mail my consultant as both are working from home. So it is a waiting game, but already a week of my meds and I am all aches and pains, and brain foggy ! Hopefully it gets sorted soon

[Wendy39]

Hello Paul

I had a telephone call from my GP's surgery pharmacy today and they inform me that they cannot get any more mepacrine, even now.

This is what, two months since the recall?

I take 50mg a day, every day.

I had ordered some, two days before the recall, so my bottle went straight back.

So, I haven't been able to take it for 2 months.

I'm guessing that as only one pharmaceutical company make this, off-license, that it may be a while before supplies are restored?

Has anyone else had issues getting more? Anyone else still waiting?

Best wishes

Wendy