A significant recall of over 80,000 packs of Sertraline occurred in the UK after a patient discovered Citalopram tablets mistakenly included in their medication pack. This alarming medication error has led to widespread concerns about patient safety.
On April 29, 2026, Amarox Limited announced the recall as a precautionary measure. The company identified that during the secondary packaging process, Citalopram was incorrectly placed inside cartons meant for Sertraline.
Both drugs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) commonly prescribed for depression and anxiety. The affected batch number is V2500425, which includes a total of 81,872 packs.
Dr. Alison Cave from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) emphasized the importance of checking medications: “If you have been prescribed Sertraline 100mg tablets and have received batch number V2500425, please check the carton contains the right medication.”
Patients who mistakenly took Citalopram instead of Sertraline are advised to seek medical advice immediately. Dr. Cave noted that these individuals may experience heightened serotonergic side effects.
The potential side effects include nausea, headache, sleep changes, and mild anxiety—symptoms that could complicate ongoing mental health treatment.
This incident highlights a critical issue in pharmaceutical safety. In England alone, GPs prescribed over 16.7 million prescriptions of Sertraline in 2019. Therefore, ensuring proper packaging is vital for patient well-being.
The MHRA continues to monitor the situation closely and urges patients to report any adverse effects they may experience from this mix-up.
