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Antidepressant May Raise Suicide Risk
NY Times ^ | May 12, 2006 | BENEDICT CAREY and GARDINER HARRIS

Posted on 05/12/2006 6:51:16 PM PDT by neverdem

After analyzing data from clinical trials, GlaxoSmithKline has sent letters to doctors warning that its antidepressant drug Paxil appears to increase the risk of suicide attempts in some young adults.

The company said it had changed the labeling on the drug to reflect the finding of the study, which analyzed clinical trial data involving some 15,000 people. The study found that reported suicide attempts were rare but significantly more common in adults who took the drug for depression than in those who received placebo pills.

The Glaxo researchers reported only one suicide in the trials, a number so small it says nothing about the drug's risk, experts said.

In October 2004, the Food and Drug Administration ordered drug companies to place a strong warning on antidepressant labels after studies suggested that some drugs increased suicidal thinking or behavior in children and adolescents. But the Glaxo study — the first by a drug company to find a link between antidepressants and suicidal behavior in adults, experts say — is likely to persuade some skeptics that the risk is real and not confined to minors.

The studies of children and adolescents found mainly evidence of suicidal thinking and agitation. There were no completed suicides reported.

In a statement issued this week, the F.D.A. said that though it was still evaluating the data, "we are recommending that consumers and prescribers follow current advice to carefully observe adults being treated with antidepressants for worsening of depression and for increased suicidal thinking and behavior." The statement said, "It is essential that patients taking Paxil do not suddenly stop taking their medication."

Last year, the agency asked psychiatric drug makers to review all their data on side effects in adults after a prolonged international debate over whether antidepressant drugs increase the risk of suicide in some...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: antidepressants; drugs; fda; glaxosmithkline; health; medicine; paroxetine; paxil; pharmaceuticals; savage; suicideattempts; suicides; weinerbots
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1 posted on 05/12/2006 6:51:20 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

Better living through chemistry!


2 posted on 05/12/2006 6:53:16 PM PDT by Panzerlied ("We shall never surrender!")
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To: neverdem
This information and stats has been available and diligently buried for some years.

In addition, all the school shootings, many teen suicides, etc - involved teens on anti-depressent drugs -

There is much study on this - and it it barbaric that they are still allowed to give this to kids

3 posted on 05/12/2006 7:05:18 PM PDT by maine-iac7 ("...but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." LINCOLN)
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To: Panzerlied

At least you're happy when you die.


4 posted on 05/12/2006 7:06:22 PM PDT by BunnySlippers (We want our day: A day without hearing SPANISH ...)
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To: maine-iac7
There is much study on this - and it it barbaric that they are still allowed to give this to kids

You think thats bad.

I knew kids who were FORCED to take this crap when we all knew they didn't need it.

The "iatrogenic" effects negate or eliminate most of the so-called benefits anyway.

5 posted on 05/12/2006 7:09:15 PM PDT by Sonny M ("oderint dum metuant")
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To: neverdem
carefully observe adults being treated with antidepressants for worsening of depression

This reminds me of an episode of "The Simpsons", in which Dr. Nicks' clinic explodes. Afterwards, Dr. Nick remarks "Inflammable means flammable? What a country!"


6 posted on 05/12/2006 7:10:25 PM PDT by holymoly (Dick DeVos for MI Governor: http://www.devosforgovernor.com/)
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To: maine-iac7; All
In addition, all the school shootings, many teen suicides, etc - involved teens on anti-depressent drugs -

The Kennedy kid involved in the Virginia cop killing attack this week was described as having a history of schizophrenia, IIRC. I'm wondering if he may have gone manic on SSRIs. Anyone have any more details on this?

7 posted on 05/12/2006 7:17:57 PM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: neverdem
My late wife was one of them. Paxil didn't help.
8 posted on 05/12/2006 7:18:29 PM PDT by vetvetdoug
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To: Sonny M
I knew kids who were FORCED to take this crap when we all knew they didn't need it.

and if parents refuse - they are charged with child abuse - the connections between the FDA and the drug companies is criminal

9 posted on 05/12/2006 7:26:10 PM PDT by maine-iac7 ("...but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." LINCOLN)
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To: neverdem

There is no doubt... NO doubt.. that SSRI's (like Paxil and Prozac) increase the risk very significantly of suicide or suicidal behaviour in young people. I'd rather not get into how I know this, but no it's not because I know someone who has committed suicide. (thank God)

You can bet the farm though that this is true, and how much age actually has to do with it I don't know.


10 posted on 05/12/2006 8:30:50 PM PDT by Bones75
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To: Sonny M

How were these kids "forced" to take it?


11 posted on 05/12/2006 8:44:21 PM PDT by newzjunkey (Don't use illegals: HIREPATRIOTS.COM)
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To: Panzerlied

The old DuPont slogan?


12 posted on 05/12/2006 8:45:23 PM PDT by newzjunkey (Don't use illegals: HIREPATRIOTS.COM)
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To: BunnySlippers
I wouldn't say Paxil makes you happy. There's not a euphoria nor an addiction. It's not that kind of drug.

With all medications there are going to be folks that respond outside the norm.

13 posted on 05/12/2006 8:49:15 PM PDT by newzjunkey (Don't use illegals: HIREPATRIOTS.COM)
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To: maine-iac7

Buried for years? Didn't Arianna Huffington have a book called Prozac Nation which covers this topic?


14 posted on 05/12/2006 8:54:52 PM PDT by newzjunkey (Don't use illegals: HIREPATRIOTS.COM)
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To: holymoly; aculeus; Senator Bedfellow; Xenalyte; Billthedrill; AnnaZ
Afterwards, Dr. Nick remarks “Inflammable means flammable? What a country!”
.
A serious moment in cultural history occurred a few years ago, marking a significant takeover of public rhetoric by proles. I’m referring to gasoline trucks changing the warning word on the rear from INFLAMMABLE to FLAMMABLE. Widespread public education had at last produced a population which no longer recognized -in as an intensifier. The proles for whom the sign FLAMMABLE was devised will be impelled when they hear that something (like a book or a work of art) is invaluable to toss it into the trash immediately.

— Paul Fussell, Class.


15 posted on 05/12/2006 8:56:25 PM PDT by dighton
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To: dighton
Inflammable means flammable, antidepressants make one superduperdepressed, dogs and cats living together...

*holds head in hands*

They could at least share the crazy pills...

16 posted on 05/12/2006 9:12:27 PM PDT by AnnaZ (Victory at all costs-in spite of all terror-however long and hard the road may be-for survival)
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To: neverdem

17 posted on 05/12/2006 9:12:53 PM PDT by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
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To: neverdem

The way I understand it is that when a depressed person is put on antidepressants there is a period of time when they begin to feel better but are still deeply depressed. They begin to come out of their depression just enough to follow through with their suicidal ideation. Before the antidepressant began to work, they were too depressed to do anything. After a time, (given a normal response to the meds) they will begin to emerge from the depressive state to the point that they no longer desire to commit suicide. There is that potentially dangerous time period just after the antidepressant starts working where the improvement due to the antidepressant gives them just enough energy to act.


18 posted on 05/12/2006 9:23:54 PM PDT by SuzyQue
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To: SuzyQue
I've heard that explanation before. I'm more persuaded by variations in cytochrome P450 genotype, in particular CYP2D6. Cytochrome 2D6 catalyzes oxidation processes of many antidepressants (TCAs, SSRIs, maprotyline, mianserine, nefazodon, trazodon, venlafaxine). CYP2D6 is characterized by genetically determined polymorphism which may lead to serious clinical consequences. Based on CYP2D6 activity four phenotypes are distinguished: poor metabolism (PM), intermediate (IM), extensive (normal) EM and ultrarapid (UM).
19 posted on 05/12/2006 10:03:08 PM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: neverdem
"Antidepressant May Raise Suicide Risk"

Umm. I think my head is going to explode.

20 posted on 05/12/2006 10:11:13 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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