Sertraline recall: UK alert issued after Citalopram found in sealed packs

A patient prescribed Sertraline 100mg found a blister strip of Citalopram 40mg (a different antidepressant) inside their sealed medication carton. 

Consequently, more than 80,000 packs of the commonly used antidepressant have been recalled across the UK.

The manufacturer, Amarox noted that both drugs are produced at the same facility, 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 medications are manufactured by the same company at the same facility. 

They further claim that the error “appears to have occurred during secondary packaging of the blister strips into the cartons.”

Patients who have already taken Citalopram 40mg tablets by mistake and are experiencing side effects, should further seek medical advice immediately. 

Furthermore, pharmacists are advised to stop supplying the specific batch immediately and contact patients who may have already received the impacted medication. 

In this connection, Dr. Alison Cave (MHRA Chief Safety Officer) urged patients with batch V2500425 to manually check that their cartons contain the correct medication.

“If the blister strips inside the carton are labelled Citalopram 40mg, please contact your pharmacy as soon as possible. If they are labelled Sertraline 100mg, no further action is needed.” “Patients who have accidentally taken Citalopram instead of – or as well as – Sertraline, may experience some heightened serotonergic side effects.”

According to a study in 2019, 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 could lead to adverse effects or untreated symptoms.