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 ...
Better living through chemistry!
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
At least you're happy when you die.
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.
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!"
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?
and if parents refuse - they are charged with child abuse - the connections between the FDA and the drug companies is criminal
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.
How were these kids "forced" to take it?
The old DuPont slogan?
With all medications there are going to be folks that respond outside the norm.
Buried for years? Didn't Arianna Huffington have a book called Prozac Nation which covers this topic?
.
A serious moment in cultural history occurred a few years ago, marking a significant takeover of public rhetoric by proles. Im 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.
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.
Umm. I think my head is going to explode.
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