Call me stupid, but....

[stormchazer]

...isn't the reason a lot of people take these drugs is that they are so depressed to be suicidal? By the way, I take one of these drugs.

FDA Wants Suicide Warning Labels on Antidepressants

Monday, March 22, 2004



WASHINGTON — 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 (search) 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 yet that 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.

On Monday, the FDA followed its advisers' recommendation and issued a public health advisory putting doctors, patients, families and other caregivers on notice to be particularly vigilant for signs of worsening depression or suicidal thoughts at the beginning of anti-depressant therapy or whenever the dose is changed.

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 (search).

British health authorities sounded the alarm last year, saying long-suppressed research suggests certain antidepressants might sometimes increase the risk of suicidal behavior in children and teenagers.

Because only one drug, Prozac (search), has been proven to alleviate pediatric depression, Britain declared others — drugs called selective seretonin reuptake inhibitors (search) (SSRIs) and their close relatives — unsuitable for depressed youth.

The FDA issued a caution on pediatric use last year, but Monday's action — especially the addition of the warning to drug labels — goes significantly further.

Dozens of anguished parents pleaded with FDA in a meeting last month to add such warnings, citing preteens and teenagers who hanged themselves or slashed their wrists shortly after starting the antidepressants.

Parent after parent described children who had become extremely agitated or anxious shortly after starting the antidepressants, and seemingly sudden impulses that turned deadly.

© Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2004 ComStock, Inc.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Copyright 2004 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
All market data delayed 20 minutes.

[Josephine96]

You're not stupid at all.. But you're right.. A lot of people do take those drugs for those reasons..

[Stephanie]

You are NOT DUMB by any stretch of the imagination!

That being said, I also take Prozac - I have been for over 10 years and I've heard the same thing about it. I really don't know why either. It's strange since Prozac and others take a few weeks to build up in your system to be most affective. I think that during that time period it is when you are at your most vulnerable stage - you're taking it because you have been diagnosed with depression, and probably a severe case as well. If you are already suicidal you will need to be "stabilzed", probably at a hospital. I don't know if it during these times that they notice the likelihood of suicide increasing. Also, not everyone can take different anti-depressants, so if you can have a negative reaction to that which of course, doesn't help matters. I knew of one girl that was allergic to it, so she was taken off of it immediately.

Most people that have chronic depression, like myself, have a chemical imbalance. As with all medications, you need to find the one that works the best for you, unfortunately though the clock is sometimes ticking faster than normal with a person with depression.

Just my two cents.

[azsnowman]

WELL, another FYI....I take Zanex (sp), I noticed it wasn't on the list of drugs, I just saw this on the evening news. I've known a LOT of people on Prozac and they've complained of deeping depression!

Dennis

[Lindaloo]

I have a 45 year old sister who is on Prozac. She is now psychotic.

[stormchazer]

I've taking probably 70% of that list. The ones I quit using were not effective to begin with. I take Lexapro now and I seem to be good. I haven't checked up on my Life Insurance policy for months now....LOL.

[Stephanie]

I have a 45 year old sister who is on Prozac. She is now psychotic.

GREAT!

I certainly hope that her doctor has her on something different. Sometimes the medication that is prescribed isn't the appropriate one.

Don't joke about that Jara. For me, Porzac has been a lifesaver. The one time I came off of it, I had a nervous breakdown and WAS suicidal. Talk to you doctor about your concerns. I'll be quite honest though, I still have fleeting feelings of depression and dark thoughts. The difference is that I CAN tell myself now "it's not worth it".

[stormchazer]

I have a 45 year old sister who is on Prozac. She is now psychotic.

GREAT!

I certainly hope that her doctor has her on something different. Sometimes the medication that is prescribed isn't the appropriate one.

Don't joke about that Jara. For me, Porzac has been a lifesaver. The one time I came off of it, I had a nervous breakdown and WAS suicidal. Talk to you doctor about your concerns. I'll be quite honest though, I still have fleeting feelings of depression and dark thoughts. The difference is that I CAN tell myself now "it's not worth it".

I joke...keeps me relaxed. I'm glad Prozac is working for you.

[Stephanie]

I have a 45 year old sister who is on Prozac. She is now psychotic.

GREAT!

I certainly hope that her doctor has her on something different. Sometimes the medication that is prescribed isn't the appropriate one.

Don't joke about that Jara. For me, Porzac has been a lifesaver. The one time I came off of it, I had a nervous breakdown and WAS suicidal. Talk to you doctor about your concerns. I'll be quite honest though, I still have fleeting feelings of depression and dark thoughts. The difference is that I CAN tell myself now "it's not worth it".

I joke...keeps me relaxed. I'm glad Prozac is working for you.

I hear ya!

[streetsoldier]

For some years, I was misdiagnosed as bi-polar, and was given lithium carbonate salts (Lithobid); when it became clear that the drug was ineffective and affecting my kidneys adversely, I signed into Charter (now defunct), and was quickly diagnosed as being DSS, SAD and dysthemic; Serzone (one of those shown) was prescribed, along with Klonopin and Doxepin.

That was almost 9 years ago, and I have seen no reason to change Rx.

[GalvestonDuck]

IMO, chronic depression and several other chronic mental disorders should be treated with both medication to control the chemical imbalance and therapy. The therapy would serve to assure that a patient's emotional well-being is staying in check (since the medication's side effects are in question). Therapy also offers a more hands-on approach to the patient's care -- one-on-one, personal, and confidential discussions about how the patient is feeling and coping -- whereas medicating is just a way of saying "Here take two of these and you'll feel better," a method which doesn't always work by itself.

However, not all mental disorders require nor should they be treated with medication. Sometimes therapy, reassurance, and behavioral modification can help a person overcome something like associative depression (acute depression which results from a certain traumatic or stressful situation and how the person copes with it - death in the family, breakup, loss of job, etc.).

I think some doctors are too quick to prescribe medication without completely diagnosing and understanding the patient's problem. A pill won't always fix everything and sometimes the disabilities associated with the side effects make matters worse.

[Stephanie]

IMO, chronic depression and several other chronic mental disorders should be treated with both medication to control the chemical imbalance and therapy. The therapy would serve to assure that a patient's emotional well-being is staying in check (since the medication's side effects are in question). Therapy also offers a more hands-on approach to the patient's care -- one-on-one, personal, and confidential discussions about how the patient is feeling and coping -- whereas medicating is just a way of saying "Here take two of these and you'll feel better," a method which doesn't always work by itself.

However, not all mental disorders require nor should they be treated with medication. Sometimes therapy, reassurance, and behavioral modification can help a person overcome something like associative depression (acute depression which results from a certain traumatic or stressful situation and how the person copes with it - death in the family, breakup, loss of job, etc.).

I think some doctors are too quick to prescribe medication without completely diagnosing and understanding the patient's problem. A pill won't always fix everything and sometimes the disabilities associated with the side effects make matters worse.

I did go through intense therapy when I was first diagnosed. I had alot of issues to resolve within me along with the depression. Right now I go every six months to check in and get my prescription renewed. My doctor did it right - I was fortunate that my first psychiatrist was someone who I felt comfortable with right from the beginning. Actually, he was recommended by my General Practioner (before HMO times).

You're right Duck - it is way too easy to just prescribe a pill.

[timNms]

No wonder I'm nuts. I take wellbutrin LOL.

[ColdFront77]

A pill won't always fix everything and sometimes the disabilities associated with the side effects make matters worse.

Excellent point, Shawn. This the main reason why I don't want to take anything for my Asperger's Syndrome. I really don't get depressed, more annoyed with things, but I live each day as it comes. Coming here to Storm2K, other boards and elsewhere online is very enjoyable.

[blizzard]

A pill won't always fix everything and sometimes the disabilities associated with the side effects make matters worse.

Excellent point, Shawn. This the main reason why I don't want to take anything for my Asperger's Syndrome. I really don't get depressed, more annoyed with things, but I live each day as it comes. Coming here to Storm2K, other boards and elsewhere online is very enjoyable.

Sounds like you have found a good form of therapy, Tom. It is also enjoyable for us to have you around here.

[ColdFront77]

Thanks, Tim. I sincerely appreciate it.