Antidepressant Effexor Recall: Pharmacist Discovers Different Drug in Bottle

Pfizer Inc. announced Thursday that it is recalling the antidepressant Effexor XR along with other generic versions of the drug due to the discovery by a pharmacist that a different drug was contained in some bottles of Effexor.

"Although Pfizer has not received any other such reports, these three lots are being voluntarily recalled as a precaution because they were packaged on the same line," Pfizer said, via an announcement.

The drug Tikosyn was allegedly found in some, which has the potential side-effect to cause atrial fibrillation.

"The use of Tikosyn by an Effexor XR 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," Pfizer said.

As the side-effects of Tikyosyn can be serious and even deadly due to what could potentially become an abnormal heartbeat, the company added that among three lots, there were also 104,450 bottles of medicines with nearly 65,800 of which had reached pharmacies in the country. This recall has included one lot of 30-count bottles of Effexor XR, one lot of 90-count bottles of the branded drug and one lot of venlafaxine 150 mg extended release capsules, sold by Greenstone LLC. However, this recall will not affect generic versions of the drug made by other manufacturers.

At this time, pharmacists have been asked to quarantine and return all recalled lots, according to a recent statement made by the FDA.

"Pfizer has responded rapidly to this situation to ensure the safety of patients who take our medicines," Pfizer said. "This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.