FDA Drug Safety Podcast: FDA warns about prescribing and dispensing errors resulting from brand name confusion with antidepressant Brintellix (vortioxetine) and antiplatelet Brilinta (ticagrelor)

Welcome to the FDA Drug Safety Podcasts for health care professionals from the Division of Drug Information.

On July 30, 2015, the FDA announced it is warning health care professionals and patients that reports of confusion between the antidepressant Brintellix and the anti-blood clotting medication Brilinta have resulted in the wrong medication being prescribed or dispensed. We have determined that the main reason for the confusion between these two medications is the similarity of their brand (or proprietary) names. None of the reports indicate that a patient ingested the wrong medication; however, reports of prescribing and dispensing errors continue. As a result, we are alerting the public about this safety issue.

Health care professionals can reduce the risk of name confusion by including the generic name of the medication, in addition to the brand name, and the indication for use when prescribing these medications. Patients should check their prescriptions to ensure that the correct medication was dispensed.

Brintellix (active ingredient vortioxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat major depressive disorder in adults. Brintellix is a tear-shaped tablet stamped with “TL” on one side and a number that indicates the tablet strength on the other side. It varies in color depending upon the strength prescribed.

Brilinta (active ingredient ticagrelor) is an antiplatelet, anti-blood clotting medication used to lower the risk of having another heart attack, or dying from a heart problem after a heart attack or severe chest pain. Brilinta is a round, yellow tablet with a “90” above a “T” stamped on one side.

As of June 2015, FDA has received 50 reports of medication error cases describing brand name confusion with Brintellix and Brilinta. Most cases reported concerns that similarities in the sound, look, or both sound and look of the two brand names could cause confusion for prescribers and pharmacists. Some cases resulted in the wrong medication being dispensed to a patient. In one case, a pharmacist misinterpreted Brintellix as Brilinta and did not dispense any medication because the patient had a contraindication to blood thinners.

Report name confusion and medication errors involving Brintellix and Brilinta to the FDA MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Thank you for listening. A link to the full communication detailing specific information for health care professionals and the complete Data Summary can be found at www.fda.gov/DrugSafetyCommunications. If you have drug questions, you can reach us at druginfo@fda.hhs.gov.

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