Posted by delna on October 27, 2009, at 11:49:44
In reply to Should SSRIs Be Taken Off The Market?, posted by bulldog2 on October 26, 2009, at 15:16:29
Nooooooo!
Definitely not! For people who have had one bout of depression and need antidepressants for a few months, they are a godsend.
Plus the other drugs, TCA's and MAOI's, apart from being really hard to tolerate are not safe at all especially for special classes like the elderly, those with hepatic/ renal impairment etc.
Their only option is an SSRI.But I am very anti-irresponsible drug prescribing.
I think drugs, in general should not just be taken off the market because of some possible long term side effect, rather they should be prescribed responsibly. I think in some countries SSRI's are indeed handed out as sweets and that is where the problem lies.Take for example accutane. This drug, in the long-term has been associated with low bone density (and countless other things) which leads to osteoporosis. . But should it be pulled from the market? No, because IMHO it really does help a lot of people and has a very special place in dermatology that no other drug can fill. However it should be prescribed with great care and prudence by a specialist and in serious cases.
Irresponsible use of a drugs is not a reason to remove them from the market. Eduction is the answer. SSRI's need to prescribed when they are REALLY needed and not to 'cover-up' normal life's problems. Which currently they are being used for.
One general comment.... what I do find quite appalling and which happens all the time in the US (as opposed to UK of even India) is direct-to- consumer marketing of prescription drugs. This is so dangerous.It lulls everyone into believing that these drugs are somehow safe and patients approach their docs demanding them for every little thing. I mean, look at the recent campaign for Abilify as an add-on for depression. That ad really cheesed me off because it made Abilify sound like this magical, harmless med. Did you see all the lovely imagery...it made my blood boil!
Oh sorry I think I just went off topic.....Anyway, I feel eduction is key, of both doctors AND patients. SSRI's are definitely not benign but are a valuable addition in the treatment of psych problems. So no, they should not be pulled from the market. Perhaps limiting who can actually prescribe the drug may help
TC
D
poster:delna
thread:922639
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091021/msgs/922882.html