Stronger Warnings for Antidepressant Drugs

Health Central ^ | 07.23.05

[Coleus]

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) mandated a new warning label be added to antidepressants more than a year ago, cautioning physicians to pay close attention to patients taking the drugs for signs of suicidal behavior.

Now the agency issued its second (much stronger) warning, urging the monitoring of adults who use antidepressants for signs of suicidal thoughts and deepening depression.

FDA's New Advisory

The new warning, which is applicable to children and adults, was in the wake of recent studies that linked suicidal behavior in adults to their use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants.

Warning labels were placed on all antidepressants detailing those risks; revised labels applied to both pediatric and adult usage of:

Bupropion (Wellbutrin) Citalopram (Celexa) Fluoxetine (Prozac) Fluvoxamine (Luvox) Mirtazapine (Remeron)

Nefazodone (Serzone) Paroxetine (Paxil) Sertraline (Zoloft) Escitalopram (Lexapro) Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Moreover, in order to determine the extent of the seriousness of the risk of suicide evoked by antidepressant drugs, the FDA announced it was in the process of a review of the drugs, based on data provided by drug manufacturers. The review is projected to take more than a year.

What about Cymbalta?

Along with the new advisory, the FDA also updated its Web site regarding a far higher-than-expected number of suicide attempts in studies analyzing the effectiveness of the nation's newest antidepressant, Cymbalta. The studies involved woman trying the drug as an incontinence treatment, a non-label use.

Health Central July 1, 2005

CNN July 1, 2005

[Coleus]

Health Experts Warn of Antidepressant Dangers for Children, Teens

[SoDak]

I'm currently taking Zyban, which I think is the same as Wellbutrin, to quit tobacco. I haven't had any suicidal thoughts for several hours now.

[birbear]

Gee, people who are depressed and suicidal have suicidal thoughts?

Gotta hand it to these FDA-types... they're really on the ball.

[gamarob1]

Did anyone check with Tom Cruise on this?

[martin_fierro]

Stronger Warnings for Antidepressant Drugs

Bummer.

[little jeremiah]

later read/pingout.

[codyjacksmom]

I've been taking Wellbutrin and Effexor for a few years now. I've tried some meds that have had very negative effects, so I go straight to the doc before it gets out of hand. Sometimes it can take quite awhile to find the right one or ones...people need to have some common sense and speak up as soon as they feel any effects that aren't good. Trust me, I've been suicidal and homicidal at the same time from meds, and when I came out of it a little, it scared the hell out of me...I went straight to the doctor.

[aaronbeth]

I get homicidal thoughts regularly,especially when my husband gets home from work.

[phasma proeliator]

Hi Honey - I didn't know you decided to sign up here....


what's for dinner?

[aaronbeth]

haha...I see I am not alone!

[clamper1797]

If find this depressing

[laceybrookesdad]

Interesting article babe. Let's talk to Jeff about this article the next time we see him!