Health officials have initiated a recall of a batch of a widely used antidepressant following a discovery by a patient who encountered the wrong medication in their package.
The patient, who was prescribed Sertraline 100mg film-coated tablets, found a strip of another antidepressant, Citalopram 40mg film-coated tablets, inside the sealed carton. Consequently, UK-based pharmaceutical company Amarox has issued a “precautionary recall” of a specific batch of Sertraline, as stated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Both medications are manufactured by the same company at the same facility. The MHRA has reported that the manufacturing error likely occurred during the secondary packaging process of the blister strips into the cartons.
Patients who suspect they have taken Citalopram 40mg tablets in error or are experiencing adverse effects are advised to seek immediate medical attention. The MHRA has instructed pharmacists to cease supplying the affected batch and reach out to any patients who may have received the impacted product – Sertraline 100mg tablets with batch number V2500425.
Dr. Alison Cave, the MHRA’s chief safety officer, urged individuals prescribed Sertraline 100mg tablets from batch number V2500425 to verify the carton’s contents for accuracy. The batch number and expiry date can be found on the outer packaging.
If the blister strips inside the carton are labeled as Citalopram 40mg, patients are advised to contact their pharmacy promptly. No further action is required if the strips are labeled as Sertraline 100mg. Patients who have mistakenly taken Citalopram in place of or in addition to Sertraline may experience heightened serotonergic side effects, including nausea, headache, sleep disturbances, and mild anxiety.
In 2019, over 16.7 million Sertraline prescriptions were issued by GPs in England. Sertraline, an antidepressant, is commonly used to treat depression, OCD, panic disorder, PTSD, and social anxiety disorder.
As an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), Sertraline functions by elevating serotonin levels to promote feelings of calmness and happiness when levels normalize, according to the NHS.
Sertraline tablets are typically taken once daily at the same time. However, the NHS advises individuals to skip a missed dose and resume their regular dosing schedule the following day. It is crucial not to double the dose to compensate for a missed one.
Citalopram, another SSRI antidepressant, is frequently prescribed for low mood, depression, and occasionally for panic attacks. The full effects of Citalopram may take four to six weeks to manifest, although some improvements may be noticed within one to two weeks.
Individuals on either Sertraline or Citalopram should never abruptly discontinue their medication. Instead, they should consult with their healthcare provider to gradually taper the dosage to prevent withdrawal symptoms.