Mislabeled antidepressant and prostate drugs recalled
By JENNIFER WALKER-JOURNEY

Date: March 28th, 2011

Drug company Greenstone LLC is recalling two types of medication because of a possible labeling mix-up that could cause serious injury to consumers who accidentally take the wrong medication.

The recall was initiated because certain lots of the antidepressant Citalopram was found to contain Finaseride, a treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia, or enlarged prostate. If women who are pregnant or may become pregnant take Finaseride, their developing male fetus could be at risk of abnormalities to the external genitalia.

Citalopram is also contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or pimozide, as well as in patients with a hypersensitivity to Citalopram or any of the inactive ingredients in the tablet. Another concern is if patients discontinue the antidepressant abruptly by inadvertently taking the mislabled product, they may experience withdrawal symptoms and/or worsening of symptoms.

The recall includes Citalopram 10mg Tablets in 100-count bottles and Finasteride 5mg Tablets in 90-count bottles. Both were distributed in the United States. Both bottles are marked with the lot number FI050058-A. Anyone with the bottles in their possession should stop taking the medication and return them immediately.

Patients who believe they have taken the wrong medication should contact their doctors immediately. Healthcare professionals and patients should report any side effects to the Food and Drug Administration MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program at www.FDA.gov/MedWatch.

Related News