A significant recall of antidepressants was prompted by a patient discovering the wrong medication in their pack. On April 29, 2026, Amarox Limited announced the recall affecting over 80,000 packs of Sertraline in the UK.
A patient found Citalopram tablets inside a pack labeled as Sertraline. This medication error occurred during the secondary packaging process.
As of midday, Amarox Limited has confirmed that both Sertraline and Citalopram are SSRIs used to treat depression and anxiety. The affected batch is numbered V2500425, with a total batch size of 81,872 packs.
Patients who mistakenly took Citalopram should seek medical advice immediately. Dr. Alison Cave warned that such an error may lead to heightened serotonergic side effects.
Potential side effects include:
- Nausea
- Headache
- Sleep changes
- Mild anxiety
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is monitoring the situation closely. Officials have not disclosed how long this recall will last.
This incident raises concerns about patient safety in mental health treatment. In 2019 alone, more than 16.7 million prescriptions for Sertraline were issued in England.
Dr. Cave emphasized the importance of checking medication cartons carefully. “If you have been prescribed Sertraline 100mg tablets and have received batch number V2500425, please check the carton contains the right medication,” she stated.
