Pfizer has issued voluntary recall for Effexor XR in the United States market after a pharmacist found Tikosyn capsule in one of the bottles of Effexor XR. Pfizer has recalled three lots from the US market but the company added that the chances of similar error in other bottles from these three lots are very low.

Effexor XR (venlafaxine HCl) is a popular antidepressant, first introduced by Wyeth in 1993. Pfizer currently markets the drug in the US market. Effexor XR is the sixth most prescribed antidepressant in the US market with annual sales over 17 million capsules. Some patients could face Nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, loss of appetite as side effects of using Effexor XR.

Tikosyn is a Class III antiarrhythmic drug prescribed to patients suffering irregular heartbeats and atrial flutter (AFL). FDA informed that the dosage of Tikosyn for Effexor XR patients could lead to serious health concerns.

U.S. FDA has also confirmed the recall and the press release informs that Pfizer has recalled lot number V130142 and V130140. Greenstone LLC has recalled lot number V130014.

The drug is prescribed to patients suffering from general anxiety disorder, panic disorder and depression. Pfizer has asked the distributors to inform retailers and other clients regarding the recall. The company has urged retailers to reach out to consumers. Pfizer has not received any consumer complaints so far. The company can be reached at 1-800-438-1985 for further clarification.