Nationwide Recall of Antidepressant Issued.
via Nationwide Recall of Antidepressant Issued.
Heads up, Effexor XR users. Pfizer has recalled lot numbers V130142 and V130140, and Greenstone lot number V130014, because they may contain a heart medicine that could potentially be life threatening. In case you can’t access the above linked article without a password, I will quote the relevant passage from the Medscape article here:
A voluntary nationwide recall of 3 different lots of the antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor, Pfizer Inc) has been issued by the drug’s manufacturer owing to possible contamination with a heart drug and subsequent potentially fatal consequences.
As a precaution, Pfizer Inc is recalling 1 lot of 30-count Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCI) 150 mg extended-release capsules, 1 lot of 90-count Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) 150 mg extended-release capsules, and 1 lot of 90-count Greenstone LLC-branded venlafaxine HCl 150 mg extended-release capsules.
According to Pfizer, the action is being taken because 1 bottle of Effexor XR contained a single capsule of dofetilide (Tikosyn, Pfizer Inc) 0.25 mg, an antiarrhythimic medication used to treat atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter and maintain normal sinus rhythm.
Pfizer says the probability that other bottles of Effexor XR have been similarly contaminated is low but that it has issued the recall as a precaution.
This recall involves Pfizer lot numbers V130142 and V130140, which both expire in October 2015, and Greenstone lot number V130014, which expires in August 2015.
“Although Pfizer has not received any other such reports, these 3 lots are being voluntarily recalled as a precaution because they were packaged on the same line,” the company said in a release.
“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 company notes.
I hope no one is taking these lots of Effexor XR/Venlafaxine HCl, but if you are, stop taking it immediately and call your prescribing provider.
Sharon DeVinney, Ph.D.
/ April 8, 2014Good info for people to know. Thanks for posting this!
Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA
/ April 9, 2014You’re welcome.
mm172001
/ April 8, 2014Thanks good to know. Just got off of it a month ago though
Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA
/ April 9, 2014Good deal!
Midwestern Plant Girl
/ April 9, 2014Glad I’m taking the generic!
Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA
/ April 9, 2014Be sure to check the lot # on your generic that it’s not Greenstone lot number V130014 and if it is, take this Medscape article to your pharmacy and get it replaced!
Midwestern Plant Girl
/ April 9, 2014Thanks, just checked it & I’m golden. No extra meds for me! =-)
Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA
/ April 9, 2014Golden girl of the Mysterious Midwest!
jennydevildoll
/ April 9, 2014Reblogged this on Notes From The Devil Dollhaus and commented:
Hi, if any of my readers are currently taking Effexor, the following information could be important to you.
jennydevildoll
/ April 9, 2014Good to know. I’m not taking Effexor currently, but I reblogged this in case anyone reading my blog is taking it.
Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA
/ April 9, 2014Thanks! Good to get the word out, just in case….
artsychicksw
/ April 9, 2014I’m glad I stopped taking the Effexor last fall so I don’t have to worry about it. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us, Laura.
Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA
/ April 9, 2014Glad you have no worries. And glad the info came onto my radar! Gotta watch these poisons, uh, I mean drugs.
gypsy116
/ April 9, 2014Reblogged this on Pieces of Me.
rabbiadar
/ April 18, 2014Yikes, thank you for posting this – I have not seen it elsewhere. I take venlafaxine, but not the timed-release version. Agreed, these poisons/drugs are tricky things.
Laura P. Schulman, MD, MA
/ April 18, 2014It truly is a “can’t live with ’em, can’t live without ’em” problem. Either prospect is very scary.