MHRA Class 2 Medicines Recall: Phenobarbital Bristol Labs 15mg Tablets (Bristol Laboratories Ltd)

Drug alert number: EL (24)A/50

Date issued: 23 October 2024

Bristol Laboratories Ltd. are recalling one batch of Phenobarbital Bristol Labs 15mg Tablets as a precautionary measure due to the potential of contamination of small metallic particles within the tablets. PL 17907/0175

DMRC Number: DMRC-32910584

SNOMED Code:21039211000001106

Batch No Expiry Date Pack Size First Distributed
NU22001 10/2025 28’s 21 Dec 2022

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient: Phenobarbital

Brief description of the problem

Bristol Laboratories Ltd. are recalling one batch of Phenobarbital Bristol Labs 15mg Tablets as a precautionary measure due to the potential of contamination of small metallic particles within the tablets.

Bristol Laboratories have received one single market complaint relating to a tablet which had been cut in half by the patient prior to administration, revealing the small metallic particle within the tablet core. There have been no other similar reports related to this batch, since the batch was first distributed in December 2022. Whilst preliminary investigations indicate that this contamination is not widespread further investigations are necessary and ongoing. Bristol Laboratories consider it necessary however, to conduct a precautionary recall of the batch whilst such investigations are ongoing.

Advice for healthcare professionals

Stop supplying the above batch immediately. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your supplier using your supplier’s approved process.

Full drug alert can be viewed here.

Advice for patients

No further action is required by patients as this is a Pharmacy and Wholesaler level recall. Patients should continue to take medicines from these batches as prescribed by your healthcare professional.

Never stop taking medicines such as phenobarbital without medical advice, especially if they are being used for epilepsy. Suddenly stopping an epilepsy medicine may cause your seizures to start again or happen more often or last longer than before.

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.

Further Information

For medical information enquiries please contact: Notifications@bristol-labs.co.uk

For stock control enquiries please contact: Notifications@bristol-labs.co.uk

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