There has been some mention in the news, about the use of anti-depressants and an increased risk of suicides. On May 2, 2007 the FDA announced a labeling change on the use of all anti-depressants.
The Department of Public Health in the United Kingdom, in 2003, followed
by Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration in 2004, issued warnings concerning higher risks of suicide in young age groups using anti-depressants.
“In December 2006, the FDA’s Psychopharmacologic Drugs Advisory Committee agreed that labeling changes were needed to inform health care professionals about the increased risk of suicidality in younger adults using antidepressants.”
I was quite surprised by this, considering the fact that these medications were being administered to prevent suicide in the first place, and now they are saying that they may in fact actually bring about an increased risk of suicide in a certain age group? Then why, I would wonder, would they even prescribe such a medication in the first place. I would imagine the benefits outweigh the risks, in most cases, especially if there is close supervision of the person on the medication. Let’s hope that is the thinking behind this.
Also, I was not pleased to see that this labeling decision was agreed to in December 2006, yet the FDA has just made public an announcement on May 2, 2007 nearly six months later? Why the wait? Why did they not publish this news back in December 2006? Why did this not make the headlines back in 2003 when the risk was looked into by first the United Kingdom, then Canada and the United States. Back in 2003 these three countries realized there was an elevated risk associated with young adults up to age 24.
Apparently the drug companies have known about the risks of suicidal thoughts and behavior increasing in young adults up to the age of 24 for several years. Yet they have done nothing about letting the public in general know about this information. There is a balancing act that goes on when prescribing medications and getting the dosage correct. Apparently there is also a balancing act that occurs with just how much information is too much for the public to know about regarding the side effects of prescription drugs.
Why did I look into this matter? Because there are a large number of our returning vets who are being treated for depression, treated for PTSD, TBI and other medical conditions for which they are being giving anti-depressants. A large number of our veterans are in this dangerous age category that goes up to 24 years of age.
Here is the list of anti-depressants that the FDA has required a label change for, as of May 2, 2007.
“The requested labeling changes apply to the entire category of antidepressants. Products involved in today’s action include: Anafranil (clomipramine), Asendin (amoxapine), Aventyl (nortriptyline), Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide), Cymbalta (duloxetine), Desyrel (trazodone HCl), Elavil (amitriptyline), Effexor (venlafaxine HCl), Emsam (selegiline), Etrafon (perphenazine/amitriptyline), fluvoxamine maleate, Lexapro (escitalopram hydrobromide), Limbitrol (chlordiazepoxide/amitriptyline), Ludiomil (maprotiline), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine sulfate), nefazodone HCl, Norpramin (desipramine HCl), Pamelor (nortriptyline), Parnate (tranylcypromine sulfate), Paxil (paroxetine HCl), Pexeva (paroxetine mesylate), Prozac (fluoxetine HCl), Remeron (mirtazapine), Sarafem (fluoxetine HCl), Seroquel (quetiapine), Sinequan (doxepin), Surmontil (trimipramine), Symbyax (olanzapine/fluoxetine), Tofranil (imipramine), Tofranil-PM (imipramine pamoate), Triavil (perphenazine/amitriptyline), Vivactil (protriptyline), Wellbutrin (bupropion HCl), Zoloft (sertraline HCl), and Zyban (bupropion HCl).”
IF you are taking an anti-depressant, please be aware of how you react to them. If people close to you, friends, co-workers notice a change in your behavior, attitude, please go talk to your doctor as soon as possible. Don’t risk your well being! The side effects, in some cases, might be controlled or minimized through dosage adjustment or even trying a different drug. Don’t stop taking any medication suddenly without consulting a doctor!
You are the best judge of how you feel. Be aware and make your doctor aware if all is not right in your world! Depression is not something you just wake up with one morning. It is a serious medical condition, which adversely affects not only yourself, but those around you, such as your family, friends and co-workers. Be pro-active in taking care of yourself. It is NOT a sign of weakness, failure or letting yourself down, it is an intelligent course of action to take. Be open to the idea if a family member or friend should suggest you seek a doctor’s advice. If you think you are having any symptoms of depression or are having worsening thoughts or feelings of depression/suicide, take control of your life, by being in charge of seeing that you get to a doctor!
Sources:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/QA20070502.htm
http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/63/8/865
http://www.support4hope.com/medications/antidepressants/index.htm
Copyright 2008 MsMarti. All rights reserved.
Stumble It!
