A patient prescribed Sertraline 100 mg found a blister strip containing Citalopram 40 mg (another antidepressant) in their sealed medicine box.
As a result, more than 80,000 packs of the widely used antidepressant have been recalled in Britain.
The manufacturer, Amarox, noted that both drugs are produced in the same factory, and it has been observed that the error likely occurred during the secondary packaging stage.
Given the serious nature of the situation, a precautionary recall has been initiated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
According to the Independent, the agency clarified that both drugs are manufactured by the same company in the same factory.
They further claim that the error “appears to have occurred during the secondary packaging of the blister strips into the cartons.”
Furthermore, patients who have accidentally taken Citalopram 40 mg tablets and experience side effects should seek immediate medical advice.
In addition, pharmacists are advised to immediately stop dispensing the specific batch and contact patients who may have already received the medication in question.
In this regard, Dr. Alison Cave (MHRA Chief Safety Officer) is urging patients with batch V2500425 to manually check that their boxes contain the correct medication.
“If the blisters in the box are labeled Citalopram 40 mg, contact your pharmacy as soon as possible. If it says Sertraline 100 mg, no further action is required.” “Patients who have accidentally taken Citalopram instead of – or in addition to – Sertraline may experience some increased serotonergic side effects.”
According to a 2019 study, more than 16.7 million antidepressants were prescribed by GPs in England.
Because Citalopram and Sertraline have different strengths and chemical compositions, taking the wrong one can lead to side effects or untreated symptoms.
