Pfizer Inc. is voluntarily recalling a number of its products due to a possible mixing of drugs.
"Pfizer Inc. is voluntarily recalling one lot of 30-count Effexor XR® (venlafaxine HCl) 150 mg extended-release capsules, one lot of 90-count Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) 150 mg extended-release capsules and one lot of 90-count Greenstone LLC-branded Venlafaxine HC1 150 mg extended-release capsules," a Pfizer news release reported.
The recall was spurred by a pharmacist report that claimed a bottle of Pfizer's Effexor XR contained one capsule of Tikosyn® (dofetilide) 0.25mg. No other reports of drug mixing have been reported but the company is recalling the drug lots as a precaution.
"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 news release reported.
The company stated there was a low chance of other bottles being contaminated with the drug was unlikely.
Effexor XR is used to treat "major depressive disorder, general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and panic disorder with or without agoraphobia" while Tikosyn is a Class III antiarrhythmic drug used to treat irregular heartbeats.
The recall includes lot numbers V130142 and V130140 that expire on October 2015 and lot number Greenstone lot number V130014, which expires in August 2015, the news release reported.
These bottles were distributed to "wholesalers, distributors, certain government agencies, patient assistance programs and retailers, such as pharmacies and hospitals," the news release reported.
Anyone in possession or distributing the product is asked to return them to Stericycle Inc. The company can be contacted at 1-888-345-0481 for returning instructions.
" Patients with questions regarding this recall can contact Pfizer Medical Information at 1-800-438-1985 (Monday to Thursday 9am to 8pm ET or Friday, 9am to 5pm ET)," the news release reported.
