Medicines recallMHRA
Clopidogrel Oral Liquids (all strengths) recalled over a strength or dose problem
Xeal Pharma have informed MHRA that all strengths of their Clopidogrel Oral Suspension and Clopidogrel Oral Solution products contain less than the labelled amount of clopidogrel.
What to do now
Some batches of Clopidogrel Oral Liquids (all strengths) may not contain the right amount of active ingredient.
- 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. A medicine that is weaker than stated may not control the condition it treats; one that is stronger may cause side effects.
Symptoms and when to get help
Look out for
- a side effect you have not had before
- your condition not being controlled as well as usual
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(26)A/43). Quoted as issued.
Summary
Xeal Pharma have informed MHRA that all strengths of their Clopidogrel Oral Suspension and Clopidogrel Oral Solution products contain less than the labelled amount of clopidogrel.
The risk
DMRC reference number DMRC - 41238898 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.
Based on the risk assessment by Xeal Pharma, patient harm is not anticipated in patients receiving the affected product for long-term preventative treatment. However, patients would not receive the full, prescribed dose.
Pharmacists should identify and immediately contact all patients who have been dispensed these batches and ask them to confirm if they have remaining stock within their possession. If batch traceability information is not available, all patients dispensed this product from 20 July 2026 should be contacted. Patients should be informed that the product contained a lower dose than prescribed and patients and carers should be reminded that suddenly stopping this medicine may cause serious thrombotic events. If the pharmacist identifies any patients with an impacted product, they should contact the patient’s GP or prescriber and discuss ongoing treatment for the patient. As patients may require monitoring, other clinicians and healthcare professionals may need to be involved.
Prescribers, clinicians, and other healthcare professionals involved in the prescribing/monitoring of patients who are using Clopidogrel Oral Solution or Suspension should contact their patients and/or carers directly to ensure that their treatment is reviewed.
Healthcare professionals should be aware that there are no licensed clopidogrel oral suspension/solutions available. Patients with impacted batches may require a dose correction, alternative licensed formulations or a different treatment option.
Xeal Pharma have confirmed that all future stock will be manufactured with the correct strength and calculations applied.
Never stop taking medicines such as clopidogrel without medical advice. Suddenly stopping clopidogrel may cause serious thrombotic events.
Your GP, specialist, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional will contact you to, where required, make sure you get a new prescription for an alternative product. Once you have a replacement, you should return the impacted product to your pharmacy as part of the recall. You can contact your healthcare professional directly if you are worried, but you should keep taking your medicine as advised until you get an alternative.
No reports of patient harm have been received regarding this issue and the recall is being undertaken out of an abundance of caution. 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
Never stop taking medicines such as clopidogrel without medical advice. Suddenly stopping clopidogrel may cause serious thrombotic events.
Your GP, specialist, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional will contact you to, where required, make sure you get a new prescription for an alternative product. Once you have a replacement, you should return the impacted product to your pharmacy as part of the recall. You can contact your healthcare professional directly if you are worried, but you should keep taking your medicine as advised until you get an alternative.
No reports of patient harm have been received regarding this issue and the recall is being undertaken out of an abundance of caution. 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 Clopidogrel Oral Liquids (all strengths) been recalled?
Some batches of Clopidogrel Oral Liquids (all strengths) may not contain the right amount of active ingredient. A medicine that is weaker than stated may not control the condition it treats; one that is stronger may cause side effects.
How do I know if my medicine is affected?
The notice describes the affected product rather than listing codes. Compare the product name, pack size and where you bought it with the official 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.