Pfizer Recalls Drug After Different Drug Found in Bottle

Pfizer is recalling several lots of Effexor XR after a bottle of the drug was found to contain another drug.

Pfizer Inc., the Collegeville-based pharmaceutical company, issued the recall after a pharmacist found a tablet of Tikosyn 0.25 mcg inside a bottle of Effexor XR, the company said.

Effexor XR is a prescription antidepressant. Tikosyn is an antiarrhythmic drug. Pfizer said that if patients prescribed Effexor XR took Tikosyn, it “could cause serious adverse health consequences that could be fatal.”

Being recalled are one lot of 30-count Effexor XR 150 mcg; one lot of 9-count Effexor XR 150 mcg; and one lot of 90-count Greenstone LLC-branded Venlafaxine HC1 150 mg.

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 company said.

The drugs in question were distributed nationwide. Pharmacists should immediately stop distributing the drugs, Pfizer said.

Patients who may have received this drug should contact Stericycle at 1-888-345-0481. Those with questions should contact Pfizer at 1-800-438-1985.

Pfizer cautioned that if anyone suspects they may have taken the wrong drug, they should contact their doctor immediately.