Pfizer’s Effexor was recalled on March 6, 2014 after a pharmacist discovered that some of the bottles contained a different drug that could be fatal. Pfizer has recalled three lots of its antidepressant medication, totaling approximately 104,450 bottles, nearly 65,800 of which were stocked in pharmacies nationwide.
The recall includes one lot of 30-count bottles of Effexor XR, one lot of 90-count bottles of the branded drug and one lot of venlafaxine by Greenstone LLC, a generic drugmaker owned by Pfizer. Both of the recalled formulations are 150 milligram extended release capsules. Generic versions of the drug made by manufacturers other than Pfizer are not affected.
The drug Tikosyn, which was allegedly found in some Effexor bottles, has the potential side-effect to cause atrial fibrillation. Pfizer has announced that Tikosyn has “serious adverse health consequences that could be fatal’. Tikosyn is used to treat atrial fibrillation, a common type of heart arrhythmia. One of its serious side effects includes an anormal heartbeat that can be fatal. Signs of an abnormal heartbeat include dizziness, fainting and a racing heart rate.
An FDA news release states the recall involves Pfizer lot numbers V130142 and V130140, which both expire in October 2015, and Greenstone lot number V130014, which expires in August 2015. The agency warns pharmacists to immediately quarantine, discontinue distribution of and return all recalled lots of these products, as well as notify any of their customers to whom they distributed the products.