Watson Recalls Propafenone HCL tablets Due to Risk of Injuries from Over Dosage
Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced that it is recalling one lot of Propafenone HCL 225 mg tablets because they may contain a more intense dose of the active ingredient than is needed. The recall affects a single lot of the tablets that was shipped between October 15th and November 26th of 2008.
Propafenone is used in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, including conditions associated with accelerated heartbeat, like ventricular and atrial arrhythmias. However, it can be dangerous if not used as prescribed. The drug is believed to increase the risk of dangerous arrhythmias if taken by patients who have an underlying heart disease. Patients who suffer from liver problems, asthma, or bradycardia are also advised to avoid Propafenone. The long term effects of the drug have not been extensively researched. Even minor over-dosage of Propafenone has been found to have serious effects. Patients who take even small quantities of the drug above the prescribed limit could experience a drop in blood pressure and arrhythmias.
Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc. says they are voluntarily recalling the lot of tablets to prevent any risk to patients due to over dosage. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been informed of the recall and the company has asked patients who are in possession of the 225 mg tablets to check the container and see if the tablets belong to the lot being recalled. Consumers should return the recalled tablets by calling the company. Any adverse reactions should be reported to the FDA’s MedWatch program. Patients currently using 225 mg Propafenone HCL tablets have been asked to contact their physician if they have any questions.
Last year, Ethex Corporation announced a recall of over sized morphine Sulphate, Propafenone HCI, and other tablets because they contained twice the necessary amount of the drug. Those over sized tablets caused morphine over dosage injuries and resulted in several medical injury lawsuits filed by medical injury lawyers against Ethex. Also, medical injury lawsuits continue to be filed against Mylan Pharmaceuticals over double strength Digitek tablets that contain extra dosages of the active ingredient Digoxin.
Injuries Caused by Defective Drugs
Over dosage due to a defective pharmaceutical drug containing a greater amount of the active ingredient than is necessary is entirety preventable by the company if it follows stringent manufacturing and quality control processes. There is no excuse for releasing batches of drugs that expose users to dangerous effects of over dosage because of careless errors made at the manufacturing plant.
If you've been inured by the use of recalled Propafenone HCL tablets manufactured by Watson Pharmaceuticals Inc., contact a medical injury lawyer at Arnold & Itkin LLP for a free consultation.
While it is very effective in the treatment of atrial flutter and other heart conditions, an overdose of Digoxin can have serious consequences on a person's health. Digoxin overdose can quickly lead to digitalis toxicity, whose symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision and other medical issues. In extreme cases, the victim can suffer from a decreased heart rate, pulse irregularities and palpitations. Digitalis toxicity can also impact the functioning of the kidneys. It is therefore an especially dangerous condition in patients who already suffer from kidney and renal disorders. Patients who took the double dose Digitek tablets were at risk of an overdose. The companies involved in producing the double dose tablets including Mylan Bertek Pharmaceuticals Inc, UDL Laboratories Inc., and Actavis Totowa have yet to provide solid explanations for why so many lots of these tablets contained twice the recommended dosage.