Patients taking the antidepressant Effexor (venlafaxine) should be aware that the drug manufacturer Pfizer has issued a voluntary recall of one lot of the medications after they discovered one bottle contained a heart drug used to treat atrial fibrillation.

The medication found is Tikosyn that was discovered in one bottle of Effexor XR. The heart medication could cause abnormal heartbeat that could cause symptoms of dizziness, sweating, pallor and fainting.

Patients should check their antidepressant for lot numbers 130142 and V130140, with expiration date of October 2015. Also recalled is Effexor XR with Greenstone lot number V130014, which expires in August 2015.

The antidepressant recall includes two lots of Effexor XR® 150 Mg Extended-Release Capsules and one lot of Greenstone’s Venlafaxine HCl 150 Mg Extended-Release Capsules.


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The FDA warns the interaction between the heart drug Tikosyn and venlafaxine "could be fatal".

The recall is voluntary and the Pfizer says it is unlikely that other lots of Effexor contain Tikosyn.

The drug company is also asking pharmacists to notify any of their customers that have received the recalled antidepressants.

Companies that provide patient assistance and wholesalers should return the recalled Effexor lots to Stericycle Inc.Stericycle can be contacted at at 1-888-345-0481 for instructions on returning product.

If you take the antidepressant Effexor XR, or the generic venlafaxine HCL and have had symptoms of heart rhythm disturbance you should notify your doctor and file a report online: at www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm, Patients with the recalled antidepressant should also call Stericycle to return the medication at the number above. Speak with your pharmacist or physician about obtaining a new prescription.

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