A significant recall of antidepressants in the UK was initiated on April 29, 2026, after a patient discovered Citalopram tablets inside a pack of Sertraline, highlighting potential risks to patient safety.
This incident prompted Amarox Limited to take precautionary measures and recall over 80,000 packs of Sertraline, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety. The error reportedly occurred during the secondary packaging process when blister strips were incorrectly placed into cartons.
Documents indicate that the affected batch number is V2500425, which consists of a total batch size of 81,872 packs. Patients who mistakenly ingested Citalopram instead of Sertraline are advised to seek medical advice immediately due to potential serotonergic side effects.
Key facts about the recall:
- Amarox Limited initiated the recall as a precautionary measure.
- The recalled medications include both Sertraline and Citalopram, both SSRIs used in mental health treatment.
- The packaging error occurred during the transition from blister strips to cartons.
Dr. Alison Cave from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) stated, “If you have been prescribed Sertraline 100mg tablets and have received batch number V2500425, please check the carton contains the right medication.” This emphasizes the importance of verifying prescription contents for patient safety.
She further explained that patients who have accidentally taken Citalopram may experience heightened serotonergic side effects such as nausea, headache, sleep changes, and mild anxiety. Given that more than 16.7 million prescriptions of Sertraline were issued in England in 2019, this incident raises concerns about widespread implications for mental health treatment across the country.