ALERT: Nationwide Recall of Blood Pressure Medication; 13,000+ Bottles

A nationwide recall of more than 13,500 bottles of a commonly prescribed blood pressure medicine is a reminder that knowing your numbers includes more than checking your blood pressure. It also means knowing exactly which medication and lot you received.

Inventia Healthcare Limited initiated a voluntary recall of 13,567 bottles of chlorthalidone 25-milligram tablets on September 3, 2026. The Food and Drug Administration classified the action as Class II on September 17. The tablets failed dissolution specifications, meaning they did not meet a quality standard for how they dissolve. That could affect how the medicine releases its active ingredient. A Class II classification means temporary or medically reversible health effects are possible, while serious harm is considered unlikely. FDA recall record

Which bottles are affected?

The recall affects Inventia Healthcare Limited’s 25 milligram chlorthalidone tablets, sold in 100- and 1,000-tablet bottles, according to the FDA report. The tablets expire in April 2027, and the batch codes for the recalled tablets are:

• RISA24001
• RISB24002
• RISA24002
  

The recall numbers, as posted by the FDA, are:

• D-0610-2026
• D-0852-2026

The specific lot matters: this does not mean every chlorthalidone prescription is recalled. An earlier June 2026 recall involved different chlorthalidone lots, so ask your pharmacist to check your dispensed supply even if the pharmacy bottle does not display a manufacturer lot number. FDA recall record

Chlorthalidone is a diuretic, sometimes called a “water pill.” It helps the kidneys remove excess salt and water and is prescribed for high blood pressure or fluid retention. If your medication may be affected, call your pharmacist or prescriber promptly for a verified replacement and a plan to avoid a gap in treatment. Do not stop a prescribed blood pressure medicine on your own. Keep a record of your recent blood pressure readings and report any unexpected rise. MedlinePlus

High blood pressure in African Americans: the numbers

The American Heart Association reported in 2026 that high blood pressure affects 62.3% of non-Hispanic Black men and 59.2% of non-Hispanic Black women. It also reported that only about 22% of Black adults with hypertension have it under control. Different surveys and time periods produce somewhat different estimates, but the scale of the problem is clear.

High blood pressure can develop earlier and be more severe in Black adults. Family history, aging, kidney disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, excess sodium, low physical activity, tobacco use, and heavy drinking can all contribute. So can conditions that make care harder to obtain or follow, including limited access to healthy food, safe places to exercise, affordable medication, and consistent health care. Race itself is not a symptom or a complete explanation for anyone’s risk.

What symptoms should you watch for?

Most people with high blood pressure feel no symptoms. Headaches or dizziness alone cannot reliably tell you whether your pressure is high; a cuff reading is the way to know. A repeated reading of 130/80 mm Hg or higher falls within a high blood pressure category and warrants a conversation with a health professional.

A reading higher than 180/120 calls for prompt attention: wait at least one minute and check again. If it remains that high and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, numbness, vision changes, difficulty speaking, or another alarming symptom, call 911. If the reading remains that high without symptoms, contact a health professional promptly.

Ways to lower blood pressure through daily habits

Lifestyle changes can help prevent or lower high blood pressure. They may be used alongside medication, depending on your readings and overall risk.

• Build meals around the DASH eating pattern. Choose vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, nuts, and lean proteins more often. Frozen or no-salt-added canned produce can make this practical on a budget.
• Cut back on sodium. Compare packaged-food labels, choose lower-sodium options, and season food with herbs, garlic, citrus, or spices. Much of the sodium people eat comes from prepared food rather than the salt shaker.
• Move regularly. Walking, dancing, cycling, or other activity you can sustain helps. Start at a manageable level and work with your clinician if you have heart symptoms or mobility limits.
• Limit alcohol and avoid tobacco. Both affect cardiovascular health; reducing alcohol can help blood pressure.
• Address sleep, stress, and weight when relevant. Ask about evaluation for sleep apnea if you snore loudly or wake unrefreshed. Breathing exercises and other stress-management practices can support a broader treatment plan.
• Monitor at home. Use a validated upper-arm cuff, follow its instructions, record readings, and share the pattern with your care team. A single reading is less useful than repeated, properly taken measurements.

The 2025 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guideline recommends these habits, including the DASH pattern, less sodium, physical activity, and limiting alcohol. Potassium-rich foods can also help some people, but check with a clinician before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes if you have kidney disease or take medicines that affect potassium. No juice, supplement, or home remedy should replace prescribed treatment.

The takeaway: Check the lot with your pharmacist if you take chlorthalidone, keep taking medication according to your care team’s instructions until you have a replacement plan, and keep track of your blood pressure. Consistent treatment and everyday habits work together to protect your heart, brain, and kidneys.