Pfizer Recalls Batches of Antidepressant Drug Effexor

Pharmaceutical company Pfizer Inc recalled two lots of antidepressant drugs Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) after a capsule of a different drug called Tikosyn (dofetilide) was found in one bottle.

Effexor XR is prescribed to treat major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. The drug is often prescribed to patients suffering from the illnesses for over five years or more. Tikosyn is a Class III (cardiac action potential duration prolonging) antiarrhythmic drug that treats irregular heartbeats conditions like atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL) to maintain normal heartbeats in patients.

The recall involves Pfizer lot numbers V130142 and V130140 which will expires in October 2015 and Greenstone lot number V130014 with an expiry date in August 2015.  Wholesalers, government agencies and distributors across the country were informed by mail to stop its distribution and return them immediately to Stericycle Inc.

The action was voluntarily initiated after receiving a pharmacist report on the mixture of drug Tikosyn with the antidepressants, which can cause serious health complications. The company informed Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch that investigates adverse reactions and side effects of drugs and medicines. The press reports say , "The use of Tikosyn by an Effexor XR/Venlafaxine HCl patient, where the contraindications and drug-drug interactions with Tikosyn have not been considered by the prescribing physician, could cause serious adverse health consequences that could be fatal."

The pharmaceutical giant recommends patients not to consume the drug and seek immediate consultation form healthcare experts in case they have ingested Tikosyn. Patients are asked to watch for signs like extreme dizziness and increased heart-beats.

 Pfizer believes that there are less chances of other bottles of Effexor XR containing a Tikosyn capsule and the recall is only a precautionary measure.   

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