Medicines recallMHRA
Paracetamol 500mg Tablets, Chelonia Healthcare Limited recalled over possible contamination
Chelonia Healthcare Limited is recalling specific batches of Paracetamol 500mg Tablets (100 pots) as a precautionary measure due to contamination following a small number of complaints of discoloured tablets within the pots.
Check your product
Only products that match these details are covered. Have your pack in front of you.
5 identifiers listed for this notice.
Paracetamol 500mg Tablets, Chelonia Healthcare Limited 100 tablets (pots)
- Batch codePrinted on the pack, often next to the date mark. It may start with L or LOT.
- 2312010
- 2312011
- ExpiryOn the carton, blister or label.
- 30/11/2027
- First distributedOn the product, its label or its packaging.
- 14/04/2025
- 15/05/2025
What to do now
Affected batches of Paracetamol 500mg Tablets, Chelonia Healthcare Limited may be contaminated, for example with particles or microorganisms.
- Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine without advice: missing doses can be more dangerous than the defect.
- Compare the batch number printed on the box or label with the batches listed here.
- If your pack is affected, take it to your pharmacy or contact the prescriber for a replacement.
- Any side effect you think is linked can be reported through the Yellow Card scheme.
Why it matters. Contamination matters most for injections, eye drops and products used on broken skin, where it could cause infection.
Symptoms and when to get help
Look out for
- redness, swelling or pain where the product was used
- a high temperature
Get help urgently
- signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face or throat or difficulty breathing — call 999
- if you feel unwell and are worried, speak to a pharmacist, your GP or NHS 111
This is general information based on NHS public guidance, not medical advice. In an emergency call 999. For urgent advice use NHS 111 (NHS 24 on 111 in Scotland) or, in Northern Ireland, your GP or out-of-hours service.
Replacements and prescriptions
If your pack is affected, your pharmacy can usually exchange it for an unaffected batch or another suitable product. Prescription medicines are replaced through your pharmacy or prescriber; you do not need to buy a new supply yourself.
Many recalls are made at pharmacy or wholesaler level and do not require patients to act. The notice says which level applies.
From the official notice
Published by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (EL(25)A/25). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Chelonia Healthcare Limited is recalling specific batches of Paracetamol 500mg Tablets (100 pots) as a precautionary measure due to contamination following a small number of complaints of discoloured tablets within the pots.
The risk
DMRC reference number DMRC-35796576 Marketing Authorisation Holder
Advice for healthcare professionals
Stop supplying the above batches immediately. Quarantine all remaining stock and return it to your supplier, using your supplier’s approved process.
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 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 .
Advice for patients
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 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 .
Open the MHRA notice
Questions
Why has Paracetamol 500mg Tablets, Chelonia Healthcare Limited been recalled?
Affected batches of Paracetamol 500mg Tablets, Chelonia Healthcare Limited may be contaminated, for example with particles or microorganisms. Contamination matters most for injections, eye drops and products used on broken skin, where it could cause infection.
How do I know if my medicine is affected?
Compare the batch code, expiry and date code on your pack with the details listed under “Check your product” on this page. Only items that match are covered by the notice.
What should I do now?
Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine without advice: missing doses can be more dangerous than the defect. Compare the batch number printed on the box or label with the batches listed here.
Do I need a new prescription?
If your pack is affected, your pharmacy can usually exchange it for an unaffected batch or another suitable product. Prescription medicines are replaced through your pharmacy or prescriber; you do not need to buy a new supply yourself. Many recalls are made at pharmacy or wholesaler level and do not require patients to act. The notice says which level applies.