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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Fallen4myT on March 22, 2004, at 19:58:06
Patients on some popular antidepressants should be closely monitored for warning signs of suicide, the government warned Monday in asking the makers of 10 drugs to add the caution to their labels.
Although the Food and Drug Administration's investigation into the possible suicide connection initially focused on children given the drugs, its warning is aimed at both adult and pediatric use.
It isn't clear the drugs actually do lead to suicide, the FDA stressed. But until that is settled, advisers to the FDA called last month for stronger warnings to doctors and parents that the antidepressants may cause agitation, anxiety and hostility in a subset of patients who may be unusually prone to rare side effects.
The drugs of concern are all newer-generation antidepressants: Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor, Celexa, Remeron, Lexapro, Luvox, Serzone and Wellbutrin. Most are known to affect the brain chemical serotonin.
Posted by Donia on March 22, 2004, at 22:26:58
In reply to NEW FDA WARNING and LABELS ON these meds, posted by Fallen4myT on March 22, 2004, at 19:58:06
I would say alot of the suicides are due to the awful side effect period we go through on some of these meds. The first month I was on zoloft I had to be put on xanax because of the side effects. I went back two weeks after I started taking it and told the doc I was way worse. He said this is the side effect period and would go away, which it did, but he should have warned me about this when he put me on it.
Donia
Posted by Fallen4myT on March 22, 2004, at 22:35:06
In reply to Re: NEW FDA WARNING and LABELS ON these meds, posted by Donia on March 22, 2004, at 22:26:58
I don't take them, never have never will unless they find a way to test serontin in the brain....BUT I have a few friends on them for anxiety and then they got benzos AND sleeping pills for the anxiety and insomina that the SSRI's caused oh and they got depressed cause of weight gain....I just wanted everyone who missed the news to see this. AND PLEASE stay on your meds unless a doc takes you off.
Posted by shadows721 on March 22, 2004, at 23:46:35
In reply to Re: NEW FDA WARNING and LABELS ON these meds » Donia, posted by Fallen4myT on March 22, 2004, at 22:35:06
What ticks me off is that I would like to know about those that killed themselves trying to kick these drugs. A person with withdrawal may think it's their depression not understand the difference between withdrawal and their original depression. Therefore, the person may not want to live thinking this is their real self.
Posted by sjb on March 23, 2004, at 9:37:20
In reply to Re: NEW FDA WARNING and LABELS ON these meds, posted by shadows721 on March 22, 2004, at 23:46:35
All of you have raised excellent questions and comments. To the poster who mentioned withdrawal, it was said that the Columbine killer(s), can't remember his name, something like Leopold, Diepold, I don't know, but anyway, it was originally reported that he was on ADs, I think Luvox. Then it was reported, that no, he was coming OFF Luvox. Obviously, one case a conclusion does not make and we have had many serial killers who have never taken anything, but this is an important distinction to make. And of course, I can't help but wondering how politics and greed, payoffs, etc. have played into the timing of this announcement. Why now? I don't trust the FDA, some of the Doctors, and certainly not the pharmaceuticals to be completely honest and objective. Greed and advarice have overtaken just about everything.
Posted by KathrynLex on March 23, 2004, at 14:53:43
In reply to NEW FDA WARNING and LABELS ON these meds, posted by Fallen4myT on March 22, 2004, at 19:58:06
Hi Guys,
Just FYI, the complete article is posted a little higher up on the baord. (I think the subject of the thread has "NY Times" in the title.)
This article put me on edge a little bit, but I hope it will encourage doctors to keep their patients well informed about ALL possible med side effects. I think the more informed we all become, the less likely it is that we will encounter any problems on our medication.
K.
Posted by TexasChic on March 23, 2004, at 16:47:44
In reply to Re: NEW FDA WARNING and LABELS ON these meds, posted by KathrynLex on March 23, 2004, at 14:53:43
The thing that bugs me is it says in the article that they have not proven whether it was the meds or the original depression that caused the suicides. But that part is way down in the article rather than on the glaring headline. Of course there will be a correlation between suicides and people who take antidepressants. These people are depressed! A depressed person may think its not working and lose hope. These meds take a while to kick in (about 3 to 4 months), then most people have to try a few before finding the right one for them, and for some people they don't work at all. Personally, I have been on SSRI's for years and they literally saved my life. I just hope this article doesn't keep the people who need these meds from getting them.
Posted by sexylexy on March 23, 2004, at 19:23:46
In reply to Re: NEW FDA WARNING and LABELS ON these meds, posted by KathrynLex on March 23, 2004, at 14:53:43
Hey Ya'll
This sounds like a good warning but I can say that I had suicide ideas before I started taking lexapro now I have none! So it is a great warning but should not be generalized, though it should be monitored, I hope it does not deter people in need from taking these drugs.
Lexy
Posted by leo33 on May 5, 2005, at 22:54:58
In reply to Re: NEW FDA WARNING and LABELS ON these meds, posted by sexylexy on March 23, 2004, at 19:23:46
Unfortunately I have experienced suicidal thoughts from 3 different medications. Prozac, Lexapro, and Paxil. Although I was overly anxious and depressed before hand, I did not get the suicidal thoughts until I was on the medication, usually within the first few weeks on the med. I have tried a host of meds and seem to need them to combat my depression and anxiety so obviously I am frustrated that these are the majority of choices doctors give you. I guess I am going to try Zoloft next and hope I don't get the same reaction. Not sure what else to do.
This is the end of the thread.
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