Pansy Mae Christian, who suffered from a cardiac condition, died on November 8, 2007 after taking Digitek prescribed by her doctor. On May 2008, Christian’s estate administrator James R. Christian received notice of the drug’s recall and complaints about significant adverse side effects.

On January 15, 2008, Gary Lucineo suffered toxicity and died after taking Digitek prescribed by his physician for congestive heart failure. His estate administrator, Jeanette Lucineo, is suing the companies, claiming they failed to warn users of the drug that the medication was provided for use by the public with twice the approved level of active ingredient. That overdose caused toxicity that the suit claims contributed to Mr. Lucineo’s death.

In April 2005, Actavis Totowa LLC, initiated a nationwide Class I recall of Digitek after it learned that oversized tablets had been distributed, which likely contained twice the level of active ingredient. Taking more than the FDA-approved level of Digitek can lead to Digitek toxicity, also known as digitalis toxicity, a serious and life-threatening complication. Symptoms of digitalis toxicity include unusual visual changes, confusion, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, palpitations or irregular pulse.

If you are taking digitalis medications and symptoms of digitalis toxicity develop, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

SOURCE: Digitek Recall › Two lawsuits filed against makers of Digitek heart medication

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc., announced the voluntary recall of Propafenone HCL 225 mg tablets sold in 100-count bottles in the United States. The affected tablets were sold to customers between October 15, 2008 and November 26, 2008. No other strengths or lots were affected and the company does not anticipate any product shortages as a result of this recall.

Propafenone is a drug product used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. It has a narrow therapeutic index, so some patients who are particularly sensitive to small variations in dose may experience potentially serious side effects, including arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) or low blood pressure.

Watson is recalling the lot at the consumer level as a precautionary measure to minimize any potential risk to patients. Patients using 225 mg Propafenone HCL tablets who have medical questions should contact their health-care provider.

Last spring, generic drug maker Actavis Totowa LLC issued a Class 1 recall of its digoxin heart medication Digitek. A Class 1 recall is the most serious type of recall and involves situations in which there is a reasonable probability that use of the product will cause serious injury or death. The recall came after the company discovered oversized tablets containing twice the level of active ingredient.

Source:
FDA

SOURCE: Digitek Recall › FDA recalls another heart medication for oversized pills

As with the previous recall of some 60 generic drug products, the products are being recalled because the generic products may have been manufactured under conditions that “did not sufficiently comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices,” according to a follow-up press release issued Wednesday by the FDA.

Some medicines on ETHEX’s earlier list of recalled products include Digitek, a common treatment for heart conditions, and Dextroamphetamine Sulfate, a medication generally prescribed for narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.

Both medications were recalled in 2008 after oversized tablets were discovered in some batches. Such defects may deliver higher than labeled doses of medication and can cause serious, life threatening conditions in patients who take them.

ETHEX says the expanded recall is to ensure that all defective products have been removed from the market.

A complete listing of recalled generic products can be viewed on ETHEX’s January 28 press release, ETHEX’s February 4 follow up press release, and Ther-Rx Corporation’s release.

Patients who have any of these medications in their possession are advised to continue taking them in accordance to their prescriptions as suddenly stopping them could put patients at risk. Patients also should contact their healthcare provider if they experience any problems or have questions about their prescriptions.

SOURCE: Digitek Recall › ETHEX issues update to earlier recall, prenatal vitamins added to list

Some of the products, such as Dextroamphetamine Sulfate generally prescribed for narcolepsy and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, fell under an earlier recall due to defects such as oversized tablets delivering higher than labeled doses of medication. The expanded recall is to ensure that all defective products have been removed from the market.

Oversized tablets also plagued U.S. generic pharmaceutical group Actavis Totowa LLC, which recalled batches of Digitek last April.  Digitek is commonly used in the treatment of various heart conditions.

ETHEX has recall notifications to wholesalers for several drugs and to pharmacy retailers for Hydromophone HCI and Metoprolol Succinate only. Hydromophone HCI is a analgesic drug from the opioid class drug often used as an alternative to morphine. Metoprolol Succinate is a medication used to treat several conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. A complete listing of medications recalled is available from the FDA.

Patients who have any of these medications in their possession are advised to continue taking them in accordance to their prescriptions, as suddenly stopping them could put patients at risk. Patients also should contact their health care provider if they experience any problems or have questions about their prescriptions.

Any wholesale or retail customer inquiries related to this action should be addressed to ETHEX Customer Service at 1-800-748-1472, faxed to ETHEX Customer Service at 314-646-3788, or e-mailed to customer-service@ethex.com. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm CST.

SOURCE: Digitek Recall › ETHEX expands voluntary recalls