Heart drug recall leaves some patients searching for alternative

By Patricia Wen, Globe Staff

A consumer drug hotline in Massachusetts has been getting numerous complaints from patients who have depended on Digitek, a recently recalled generic drug that treats congestive heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.

Some patients are complaining that their pharmacies do not have substitute drugs available, while others are finding alternatives, according to MassMedLine officials.

"In one part of town, there's no problem, and in another part of town, there's a problem," said Dennis Lyons, vice president of professional affairs at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, which oversees MassMedLine.

The drug's maker, Actavis Totowa, which recalled Digitek on April 25, has recommended that patients ask for the original brand-name drug, Lanoxin, however many drug stores no longer stock this more expensive version. Also, some insurers do not cover Lanoxin.

Another option is for patients to ask for digoxin, another generic version of the drug and also the drug's chemical name. Lyons said digoxin's availability is uneven around the state, and patients have to call around. Stop & Shop and CVS are among the pharmacies that have not reported any shortages of digoxin.

Actavis Totowa announced a Class 1 nationwide recall of all strengths of Digitek because of "the possibility that tablets with double the appropriate thickness may have been commercially released. These tablets may contain twice the approved level of active ingredient than is appropriate."

Lyons said patients who have been on this medication can suffer serious health problems if they abruptly stop taking it or a substitute.

Patients with more questions can call the MassMedLine at 1-866-633-1617. The hotline is a free confidential service for Massachusetts residents seeking information about medications and drug affordability issues.