Safety Alerts and Products Recalls > Medicine recalls

Medicine recalls   Recall of Altazac Capsules 20mg (with photo)   The Department of Health (DH) today (November 27) instructed a licensed drug manufacturer, Europharm Laboratoires Co. Ltd. (Europharm), to recall all batches of Altazac Capsules 20mg (Altazac Capsules) (Hong Kong registration number: HK-47392) from the healthcare sector because the sales pack label of the product differs from the registered one. Through DH surveillance programme, it was found that Europharm had been distributing Altazac Capsules to local doctors and pharmacies. The sales pack label of the product was not affixed with an approved cautionary label, which rendered the product unregistered. So far, the DH has not received any adverse reaction report related to the use of the product. The DH's investigation is continuing. Altazac Capsules contains fluoxetine and is a prescription medicine indicated for the treatment of depression. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, excessive sweating, rashes, photosensitivity and hypersensitivity. It should only be used under the advice of a medical doctor and could only be sold at pharmacies under the supervision of a registered pharmacist upon a doctor's prescription. Europharm has set up a hotline (2662 2433) to answer related enquiries. The DH will closely monitor the recall. People should consult health-care professionals for advice if feeling unwell or in doubt after consumption of the product.