While we know things happen in factories from time to time and mix-ups are always possible, this one is quite shocking for a lot of reasons. When it comes to our medicine, mix-ups like this can be damning.
According to Business Insider in recent times two very different medications were mixed up at a factory. One was for erectile dysfunction while the other was for depression, yes you read that correctly. Could you imagine going in for your anti-depressants only to later find out that you’d been taking erectile dysfunction medication? I would be livid.
Since this mess up has been uncovered, a recall has gone out and seems to be affecting AvKare in a specific lot of 100mg bottles of something known as ‘Sildenafil’ as well as a specific lot of 100mg bottles of ‘Trazadone’ the anti-depressant. While the men who end up taking the mixed up meds who were hoping to be taking their anti-depressants may see results with the erectile dysfunction medications, this kind of thing is dangerous. If someone has a health condition that doesn’t respond well to the medication, they could have a bad reaction.
The FDA wrote as follows on this recall:
Unintentional consumption of sildenafil may pose serious health risks to consumers with underlying medical issues. For example, sildenafil may interact with nitrates found in some prescription drugs (such as nitroglycerin) lowering blood pressure to dangerous levels. Consumers with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease often take nitrates. Unintended intake of trazodone may result in adverse health consequences such as somnolence/sedation, dizziness, constipation, and blurred vision. These adverse events may be more concerning in elderly patients due to a subsequent increased risk for falls and driving impairment. To date, AvKARE has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.
Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, which is a PDE-5 inhibitor, is used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and is packaged in 100 count bottles, NDC 42291-748-01. Trazodone hydrochloride is indicated for the treatment of major depressive disorder and packaged in 1000 count bottles, NDC 42291-834-10. The affected lots of Sildenafil 100 mg Tablet (Lot 36884 with an expiration date of 03/2022) and Trazodone Hydrochloride 100 mg Tablet (Lot 36783 with an expiration date of 06/2022) were distributed to our distributors and wholesalers, and then further distributed nationwide.
AvKARE has notified its distributors and customers and is arranging for return of all recalled product of the listed lots. Distributors that have any of the subject product which is being recalled should contact Customer Service at AvKARE at 1-855-361-3993 or email [email protected] to arrange for the return of the product.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact AvKARE at 1-855-361-3993 Monday- Friday (8am – 4pm CST). Consumers should contact their physician or healthcare provider if they have experienced any problems that may be related to taking or using these drug products.
I know, some people might think this is silly but it is a lot more serious than it sounds. People on anti-depressants need them for a reason and not knowing what you’re accidentally putting into your body is quite horrifying, to be honest. It should also be noted that those who may have taken the Trazadole without knowing it might face side effects as well depending on how their bodies react to it. It’s nothing to joke about.
Business Insider noted that if someone who takes Sildenafil without realizing it has a heart condition, it could make things worse as it increases blood flow to the male genitals. To learn more about this recall take a look at the video below. If you might be affected, please do follow the things noted above by the FDA.