<p>While there are several <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href=" target="_blank">lifestyle changes</a> you can make to address high blood pressure, many Americans also take medication to help keep levels at a healthy rate. Medications can <a rel="noopener noreferrer external nofollow" href=" target="_blank" data-citation="true">help prevent</a> heart failure, kidney failure, a heart attack, or stroke, according to Cleveland Clinic, important considerations if you're one of the 116 million people affected by high blood pressure. While these medications are meant to improve health, one type is being recalled due to its narcotic content. Find out what to do if you find these blood pressure medications at home.</p>
<p><strong>RELATED: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href=" target="_blank">Heart Medication Recalled After Dangerous Label Mix-Up, FDA Warns</a>.</strong></p>
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<div class="title">A stray oxycodone tablet was found after a batch of blood pressure tablets was packaged.</div>
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<p>According to an Oct. 3 <a rel="noopener noreferrer external nofollow" href=" target="_blank" data-citation="true">recall notice</a> from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), KVK-Tech, Inc. is voluntarily recalling a single lot of 10-milligram Betaxolol Tablets.</p>
<p>Per the notice, the 10-mg betaxolol pills are white, round, and film-coated, with one side displaying a "K" and the number "13." The pills came in white plastic bottles containing 100 tablets each. They were distributed to wholesalers nationwide. The expiration date on the bottles in this lot (Batch number: 17853A), is June 2027.</p>
<p>The lot was recalled "as a precautionary measure," due to the presence of oxycodone hydrochloride—a narcotic (also referred to as an opioid) that's a "<a rel="noopener noreferrer external nofollow" href=" target="_blank" data-citation="true">popular drug of abuse</a>," per the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).</p>
<p>According to the release, the company found a single, five-milligram oxycodone hydrochloride tablet on the packaging line during line clearance—the process of making sure equipment is free of materials—after the recalled betaxolol batch was packaged.</p>
<p><strong>RELATED: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href=" target="_blank">2 Medications Recalled After Major Mix-Up: "Serious Adverse Events," FDA Warns</a>.</strong></p>
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<div class="title">Taking a narcotic can pose a "serious health risk."</div>
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<p>If more oxycodone pills were mistakenly packaged with or instead of betaxolol, it presents serious health risks for different patient groups, per the FDA.</p>
<p>"The betaxolol package insert warns about slowing in the heart rate in elderly patients which is likely to be exacerbated by inadvertent opioid administration," the FDA release reads. "Additionally, some patients prescribed low-dose betaxolol might have compromised heart and lung function that is also likely to be exacerbated by an opioid."</p>
<p>If they take the wrong narcotic, it can have a negative impact on those with opioid addiction disorder (OUD), at risk for OUD, infants and children, as well as older adults. This is especially true "if a substantial number of oxycodone tablets have been introduced into a bottle labeled as betaxolol," the agency says.</p>
<p>"Therefore, inadvertent exposure to a controlled substance, such as oxycodone, in that patient population is likely to result in significant slowing in breathing, known as respiratory depression, which is a serious health risk," the release reads.</p>
<p><strong>RELATED: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href=" target="_blank">Probiotics Sold at Walmart and Amazon Recalled for "Possible Health Risk," FDA Warns</a>.</strong></p>
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<div class="title">Stop taking these pills if you have them.</div>
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<p>The FDA notes that betaxolol and oxycodone hydrochloride tablets look similar, and there are "minor differences in appearance between betaxolol 10 mg tablets and oxycodone 5 mg tablets."</p>
<p>In fact, even if you take 10-milligram betaxolol tablets every day, you probably wouldn't notice the difference, according to the FDA.</p>
<p>While KVK hasn't received any reports of foreign tablets in bottles of betaxolol tablets, if you received recalled pills, stop using them and immediately return them to KVK-Tech. According to the press release, the company will reimburse the cost you paid for the medication.</p>
<p>If you experience any issues related to these tablets, contact your physician or healthcare provider, per the FDA.</p>
<p><strong>RELATED: <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href=" target="_blank">Costco Is Recalling Butternut Squash Due to E. Coli Risk, FDA Warns</a>.</strong></p>
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<div class="title">KVK is actively notifying customers.</div>
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<p>KVK informed both distributors, and customers of the recall on Sept. 26 via FedEx overnight mail and email. The company has begun arranging the return of products that were part of the recalled lot. The company noted that a few bottles might have made it to retail pharmacies.</p>
<p>For questions about the recall, you can call KVK at 215-579-1842 Ext: 6002, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), or email customerservice@kvktech.com.</p>
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The FDA has issued a warning after finding oxycodone in blood pressure medication.
