Pfizer Issues Drug Recall for Mix-Up In Prescription Antidepressant
Pfizer has issued an urgent drug recall for the popular brand-name antidepressant Effexor as well as the generic form, Venlafaxine, after a pharmacist discovered a different drug in one of the bottles.
The drug recall covers 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.
According to the FDA’s drug recall notice, a pharmacist reported that a bottle of Pfizer’s Effexor XR contained one capsule of Tikosyn – a medication used to treat irregular heartbeat – in addition to the Effexor capsules.
Pfizer has not received any other reports of mis-packaged drugs. However, the company issued an urgent drug recall just to ensure that no patients received the wrong medication.
Pharmacists and retailers are urged to immediately quarantine, discontinue distribution of, and return all lots of Effexor and its generic form to Pfizer.
Patients who have been prescribed Effexor should also monitor potential side effects, including
- feel faint
- become dizzy, or
- have a fast heartbeat
Patients should not only consult their physician in regard to these symptoms, but they should also discuss the drug recall with their doctors.
Drug Recalls and Personal Injury
Did you know that every year approximately 200,000 Americans die from prescription drug reactions? While the U.S. government pours billions of dollars into illegal drug interdiction every year, more Americans die from legal, prescription drugs than illegal ones.
Every year, thousands of consumers sustain serious injuries from defective products. A defective product lawyer can help you with an injury you may receive. Many of these injuries could be avoided if the manufacturers or distributors of these products took additional steps to ensure consumer safety. Defective products that commonly cause injuries include medical devices, pharmaceutical products, and other defective products such as toys, cars and automotive parts.
There are a number of reasons that defective products make it to our shelves:
- Defective manufacturing
- Inadequate testing
- Design defects
- Marketing Misrepresentation
Consumers that have been harmed by defective products such as drugs, medical devices, or other products, may be eligible to receive legal remedies. Such legal remedies, or damages, may include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, loss of physical capacity, pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Punitive damages are also available in many jurisdictions to punish defendants in those cases involving particularly egregious conduct which demonstrates a reckless or wanton disregard for the safety of the public.
The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Defective Drug Recall Cases
If you or a loved one have been injured or died as a result of a dangerous drug given with a prescription, over the counter medication, improper drug recall, or defective medical device, you need an experienced pharmaceutical liability law firm which is able to stand up for your rights, and seek justice on your behalf.
The dangerous drug personal injury lawyers at The Strom Law Firm, LLC are at the forefront of the fight to protect the public, and will stand up for your rights against the big drug and insurance companies. We will fight to ensure that you and your loved ones receive the justice you deserve. Contact our defective drug and wrongful death attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, LLC today for a free consultation to discuss the facts of your case as well as your legal rights.803.252.4800.
