FDA Issues Warning About Popular Antidepressants

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[chance33_98]

FDA Issues Warning About Popular Antidepressants

Drugmakers Asked To Add Suicide Warning Labels

POSTED: 11:04 a.m. EST March 22, 2004

WASHINGTON -- Federal health regulators warned Monday of a possible link between some popular antidepressants and suicide.

The Food and Drug Administration issued a public health advisory for doctors, patients, families and other caregivers, telling them to watch carefully for signs of worsening depression or suicidal thoughts at the beginning of antidepressant therapy or whenever the dose is changed.

The agency also asked the makers of 10 drugs to add the caution to their labels. The drugs of concern are all newer-generation antidepressants: Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Remeron, Lexapro, Luvox, Serzone and Wellbutrin. Most of them are known to affect the brain chemical serotonin.

The FDA has been looking into a connection between the drugs and suicides, but the investigation initially focused on children. Monday's warning is aimed at adults as well as children.

The FDA emphasizes that there's no clear evidence yet that the drugs actually lead to suicide, but experts who advise the FDA believe stronger warnings are needed until that's settled.

[EggsAckley]

How typical. They issue the warning BEFORE they do any studies.

[thoughtomator]

One day, people will learn that antidepressants are no substitute for true meaning in life. What's depressing for most of the patients is the culture of pointless nihilism that surrounds them and gives them no reason to live.

Faith in God and fear of Him are the only sure-fire cures for depression.

[js1138]

How about suicide plus homicide during withdrawal?

[Uncle Miltie]

"no clear evidence"

But we'll spend taxpayer money like it's water!

[dead]

I don't have an actual pharmaceutical license, but if your Zoloft is making you depressed, you should obviously wash down a couple of Extasy pills with a tall glass of Jagermeister.

That should fix you right up.

[phelix]

of course - nobody who is suicidal to begin with would ever take these medications...

[sharktrager]

1) People who are depressed are more likely to commit suicide

2) People who are depressed are more likely to have an antidepressant prescribed

Therefore, antidepressants cause suicides.

I think I understand...really. It's the drugs, not the depression.

[netmilsmom]

>>Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Remeron, Lexapro, Luvox, Serzone and Wellbutrin<<

Wait, wait, wait. All of these medications treat depression. Doesn't it make sense that these patients would have a higher rate of suicide?
Also Effexor is not only a Seratonin reuptake inhibitor but is also an Acetylcholine reuptake inhibitor. Wellbutrin ONLY works on A/C. Where is the connection beside all are treating depression?

[mpreston]

What's depressing is the constant drum beat of commercials/advertisements for drugs to solve everything and anything in one's life. Get a life people.

[texasbluebell]

Therefore, antidepressants cause suicides. I think I understand...really. It's the drugs, not the depression.

Much easier to sue if you have somebody with deep pockets as a target.

[Johnny Gage]

ping.

[Sacajaweau]

You're absolutely right...A pill solves all.

The latest I've seen is one for Adult Attention Deficiency. Can't concentrate at work?? Take a pill. Will employees start ORDERING you to take a pill just like they do to our school kids??

[Protagoras]

There is a ton of people here who apparently take most of these drugs. I wonder if we will have a Jones Town type scenerio if Kerry wins.

[Coleus]

Thanks for the ping, and wasn't what they did at Columbine more or less a muder/"suicide" pact?

[mlmr]

All antidepressaants have a higher risk of suicide during inital treatment. This is something that has been known since the 70s. Depressed people often do not commit suicide because they just do not have the phycical energy or mental organization to sustain plan and carry out a suicide. Antidepressants often give energy to patients before the emtional depression is significantly lifte. $10.00 an hour psych techs in inpatient settings even know this little piece of information. There is nothing new here.

[tob2]

"Faith in God and fear of Him are the only sure-fire cures for depression."

That's well said but only part of the solution. Depression is caused by a chemical and/or electrical imbalance in the brain. Clinical depression,or dysthymia, is a permanent life long condition. It is controlled by medication and therapy. I have this condition and I also have faith in God to help me. Bipolar disorders and schizephrenia are conditions also which require medication and therapy.

It's really a shame that the medications which can help make you better can also make you worse.

[Pearls Before Swine]

Wait, wait, wait. All of these medications treat depression. Doesn't it make sense that these patients would have a higher rate of suicide?

Of course--statistically biased sample.

I was thinking more along the lines of "If I can't find my medicine, I'll kill myself!" Same thing.

[Yaelle]

People, don't think for a second that there is no way an antidepressant could worsen depression. We are playing with unknowns with SSRIs and all other types. Taking them might give the patient false security that he will not succumb to suicidal ideation.

There is no evidence that SSRIs taken long term don't have the body's own serotonin uptake overcompensating for the drug's effects, thereby negating them. There is evidence that serotonin is not alone in mood regulation.

Anecdotally, I have some healthy fear of these drugs: I took Zoloft for four months once, 9 years ago. If I was even an hour late taking my pill, that night I would have TERROR dreams. I haven't had a dream like that since, but back then, if I was late or forgot a pill, the dreams came from my PERSONAL ABSOLUTE HORROR collection in my brain. I am talking watching my child get shot, end of the world type dreams. The kind that wake you up in utter panic. You couldn't pay me to go back on those drugs. And not habit forming, my tushie. As I weaned off of Zoloft, I was too dizzy to walk straight for about two weeks.

[mlmr]

netmilsmom All antidepressaants have a higher risk of suicide during inital treatment. This is something that has been known since the 70s. Depressed people often do not commit suicide because they just do not have the phycical energy or mental organization to sustain plan and carry out a suicide. Antidepressants often give energy to patients before the emtional depression is significantly lifte. This energy permits the patient to execute a suicide and these patients need to be watched closely unitl their emtional level lifts$10.00 an hour psych techs in inpatient settings even know this little piece of information. There is nothing new here.