A misleading ssri article from Fort Wayne...

[Guest guest]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/8440516.htm

Posted on Thu, Apr. 15, 2004

Antidepressant advisory raises questions

BY LISA LIDDANE

The Orange County Register

(KRT) - Every time Sue Mathews reads or hears reports about a depressed teen

who has committed suicide, her heart grieves a little. That child could have

been her 15-year-old son, had Mathews not found a way to get him help four

years ago.

His saving grace was an antidepressant that belonged to a class of

medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned doctors, families and

patients about the need to closely monitor children and adults with

depression, especially at the beginning of treatment with medication, or

when the doses are increased or decreased. The FDA is evaluating studies in

children to determine whether SSRIs may elevate the risk of suicidal

thoughts and actions.

While Mathews, 50, of Mission Viejo, Calif., agrees that vigilance is

paramount, she is concerned that this advisory may intensify the stigma that

some depressed teens associate with taking antidepressants. She is worried

that parents may reject the option of medication. " The worst thing that a

parent can do is to not take the symptoms or behavior seriously, as if it's

something their child can control, " Mathews said. " But the second worst

thing is to acknowledge it, then do nothing. "

Some mental-health experts also have reservations about the advisory.

Here, questions and answers about SSRIs and the FDA alert:

Q: What is the purpose of the advisory?

A: It has two recommendations: Adults and children prescribed

antidepressants should be closely monitored for worsening depression,

suicidal thinking and certain other behaviors when they first take these

medications or when the dosage is changed. Manufacturers of 10

antidepressants are being asked to include stronger cautions and warnings

about the need to monitor patients for worsening depression and suicidal

thoughts.

Q: Which are these antidepressants?

A: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Effexor,

Serzone and Remeron.

Q: What is the advisory based on?

A: The FDA has been reviewing the results of SSRI studies in children since

June 2003, after an initial report on studies with paroxetine (Paxil) and

subsequent reports on studies of other medications appeared to suggest a

greater risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children taking

antidepressants. But on close examination of the initial reports, it was

unclear whether certain behaviors reported in these studies represented

actual suicide attempts, or other behavior to injure oneself was not

suicide-related. The agency is in the midst of reviewing studies on

antidepressant use in children.

One of the areas of controversy is the potential for SSRIs to cause side

effects such as suicidal thoughts and akathisia, a condition in which one

feels restlessness or desire to move, both of which can be risk factors for

suicide, said Dr. Gerald Maguire, associate professor of clinical psychiatry

at the University of California, Irvine.

Q: Were there suicides in the trials of these SSRIs before they were

approved for use?

A: No, there were none.

Q: What are the merits of the advisory?

A: SSRIs are commonly prescribed medicines, so it's a good reminder to

physicians about how important it is to accurately diagnose depression and

to closely monitor patients, Maguire said.

Q: What are the potential disadvantages of the advisory?

A: Mental-health professionals identified several concerns: " The FDA is

misguided here and may stigmatize taking medication further, " Maguire said.

" SSRIs have provided benefits and will continue to provide benefits for

many years to come. "

In a statement, Dr. Marcia Goin, president of the American Psychiatric

Association, said: " It would be tragic if publicity around the FDA advisory

kept people with depression from getting the help they deserve or caused

parents to hesitate in seeking needed help for their children. Suicidal

thoughts and behaviors are all-too-common symptoms of depression. The

biggest threat to a depressed person's well-being is to receive no care at

all. "

People who are taking SSRI antidepressants might stop taking their

medications abruptly, said Darlene Cronin, executive director of NAMI in

Orange County, Calif. Serious side effects such as insomnia, agitation,

anxiety or relapse of depression could occur.

Q: What should families do if a loved one wants to stop taking an SSRI?

A: Contact the patient's doctor immediately so the physician can evaluate

the circumstances. A patient should not stop taking an antidepressant

without the guidance and monitoring of his/her doctor.

Q: Where can I get more information?

A: Go to:

Food and Drug Administration:

www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/default.htm

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Orange County: www.nami.org

National Mental Health Association: www.nmha.org/ccd/support/treatment.cfm

---

© 2004, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.).

Visit the Register on the World Wide Web at http://www.ocregister.com

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

_________________________________________________________________

Lose those love handles! MSN Fitness shows you two moves to slim your waist.

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[Guest guest]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/8440516.htm

Posted on Thu, Apr. 15, 2004

Antidepressant advisory raises questions

BY LISA LIDDANE

The Orange County Register

(KRT) - Every time Sue Mathews reads or hears reports about a depressed teen

who has committed suicide, her heart grieves a little. That child could have

been her 15-year-old son, had Mathews not found a way to get him help four

years ago.

His saving grace was an antidepressant that belonged to a class of

medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned doctors, families and

patients about the need to closely monitor children and adults with

depression, especially at the beginning of treatment with medication, or

when the doses are increased or decreased. The FDA is evaluating studies in

children to determine whether SSRIs may elevate the risk of suicidal

thoughts and actions.

While Mathews, 50, of Mission Viejo, Calif., agrees that vigilance is

paramount, she is concerned that this advisory may intensify the stigma that

some depressed teens associate with taking antidepressants. She is worried

that parents may reject the option of medication. " The worst thing that a

parent can do is to not take the symptoms or behavior seriously, as if it's

something their child can control, " Mathews said. " But the second worst

thing is to acknowledge it, then do nothing. "

Some mental-health experts also have reservations about the advisory.

Here, questions and answers about SSRIs and the FDA alert:

Q: What is the purpose of the advisory?

A: It has two recommendations: Adults and children prescribed

antidepressants should be closely monitored for worsening depression,

suicidal thinking and certain other behaviors when they first take these

medications or when the dosage is changed. Manufacturers of 10

antidepressants are being asked to include stronger cautions and warnings

about the need to monitor patients for worsening depression and suicidal

thoughts.

Q: Which are these antidepressants?

A: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Effexor,

Serzone and Remeron.

Q: What is the advisory based on?

A: The FDA has been reviewing the results of SSRI studies in children since

June 2003, after an initial report on studies with paroxetine (Paxil) and

subsequent reports on studies of other medications appeared to suggest a

greater risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children taking

antidepressants. But on close examination of the initial reports, it was

unclear whether certain behaviors reported in these studies represented

actual suicide attempts, or other behavior to injure oneself was not

suicide-related. The agency is in the midst of reviewing studies on

antidepressant use in children.

One of the areas of controversy is the potential for SSRIs to cause side

effects such as suicidal thoughts and akathisia, a condition in which one

feels restlessness or desire to move, both of which can be risk factors for

suicide, said Dr. Gerald Maguire, associate professor of clinical psychiatry

at the University of California, Irvine.

Q: Were there suicides in the trials of these SSRIs before they were

approved for use?

A: No, there were none.

Q: What are the merits of the advisory?

A: SSRIs are commonly prescribed medicines, so it's a good reminder to

physicians about how important it is to accurately diagnose depression and

to closely monitor patients, Maguire said.

Q: What are the potential disadvantages of the advisory?

A: Mental-health professionals identified several concerns: " The FDA is

misguided here and may stigmatize taking medication further, " Maguire said.

" SSRIs have provided benefits and will continue to provide benefits for

many years to come. "

In a statement, Dr. Marcia Goin, president of the American Psychiatric

Association, said: " It would be tragic if publicity around the FDA advisory

kept people with depression from getting the help they deserve or caused

parents to hesitate in seeking needed help for their children. Suicidal

thoughts and behaviors are all-too-common symptoms of depression. The

biggest threat to a depressed person's well-being is to receive no care at

all. "

People who are taking SSRI antidepressants might stop taking their

medications abruptly, said Darlene Cronin, executive director of NAMI in

Orange County, Calif. Serious side effects such as insomnia, agitation,

anxiety or relapse of depression could occur.

Q: What should families do if a loved one wants to stop taking an SSRI?

A: Contact the patient's doctor immediately so the physician can evaluate

the circumstances. A patient should not stop taking an antidepressant

without the guidance and monitoring of his/her doctor.

Q: Where can I get more information?

A: Go to:

Food and Drug Administration:

www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/default.htm

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Orange County: www.nami.org

National Mental Health Association: www.nmha.org/ccd/support/treatment.cfm

---

© 2004, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.).

Visit the Register on the World Wide Web at http://www.ocregister.com

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

_________________________________________________________________

Lose those love handles! MSN Fitness shows you two moves to slim your waist.

http://fitness.msn.com/articles/feeds/article.aspx?dept=exercise & article=et_pv_0\

30104_lovehandles

[Guest guest]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/8440516.htm

Posted on Thu, Apr. 15, 2004

Antidepressant advisory raises questions

BY LISA LIDDANE

The Orange County Register

(KRT) - Every time Sue Mathews reads or hears reports about a depressed teen

who has committed suicide, her heart grieves a little. That child could have

been her 15-year-old son, had Mathews not found a way to get him help four

years ago.

His saving grace was an antidepressant that belonged to a class of

medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned doctors, families and

patients about the need to closely monitor children and adults with

depression, especially at the beginning of treatment with medication, or

when the doses are increased or decreased. The FDA is evaluating studies in

children to determine whether SSRIs may elevate the risk of suicidal

thoughts and actions.

While Mathews, 50, of Mission Viejo, Calif., agrees that vigilance is

paramount, she is concerned that this advisory may intensify the stigma that

some depressed teens associate with taking antidepressants. She is worried

that parents may reject the option of medication. " The worst thing that a

parent can do is to not take the symptoms or behavior seriously, as if it's

something their child can control, " Mathews said. " But the second worst

thing is to acknowledge it, then do nothing. "

Some mental-health experts also have reservations about the advisory.

Here, questions and answers about SSRIs and the FDA alert:

Q: What is the purpose of the advisory?

A: It has two recommendations: Adults and children prescribed

antidepressants should be closely monitored for worsening depression,

suicidal thinking and certain other behaviors when they first take these

medications or when the dosage is changed. Manufacturers of 10

antidepressants are being asked to include stronger cautions and warnings

about the need to monitor patients for worsening depression and suicidal

thoughts.

Q: Which are these antidepressants?

A: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Effexor,

Serzone and Remeron.

Q: What is the advisory based on?

A: The FDA has been reviewing the results of SSRI studies in children since

June 2003, after an initial report on studies with paroxetine (Paxil) and

subsequent reports on studies of other medications appeared to suggest a

greater risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children taking

antidepressants. But on close examination of the initial reports, it was

unclear whether certain behaviors reported in these studies represented

actual suicide attempts, or other behavior to injure oneself was not

suicide-related. The agency is in the midst of reviewing studies on

antidepressant use in children.

One of the areas of controversy is the potential for SSRIs to cause side

effects such as suicidal thoughts and akathisia, a condition in which one

feels restlessness or desire to move, both of which can be risk factors for

suicide, said Dr. Gerald Maguire, associate professor of clinical psychiatry

at the University of California, Irvine.

Q: Were there suicides in the trials of these SSRIs before they were

approved for use?

A: No, there were none.

Q: What are the merits of the advisory?

A: SSRIs are commonly prescribed medicines, so it's a good reminder to

physicians about how important it is to accurately diagnose depression and

to closely monitor patients, Maguire said.

Q: What are the potential disadvantages of the advisory?

A: Mental-health professionals identified several concerns: " The FDA is

misguided here and may stigmatize taking medication further, " Maguire said.

" SSRIs have provided benefits and will continue to provide benefits for

many years to come. "

In a statement, Dr. Marcia Goin, president of the American Psychiatric

Association, said: " It would be tragic if publicity around the FDA advisory

kept people with depression from getting the help they deserve or caused

parents to hesitate in seeking needed help for their children. Suicidal

thoughts and behaviors are all-too-common symptoms of depression. The

biggest threat to a depressed person's well-being is to receive no care at

all. "

People who are taking SSRI antidepressants might stop taking their

medications abruptly, said Darlene Cronin, executive director of NAMI in

Orange County, Calif. Serious side effects such as insomnia, agitation,

anxiety or relapse of depression could occur.

Q: What should families do if a loved one wants to stop taking an SSRI?

A: Contact the patient's doctor immediately so the physician can evaluate

the circumstances. A patient should not stop taking an antidepressant

without the guidance and monitoring of his/her doctor.

Q: Where can I get more information?

A: Go to:

Food and Drug Administration:

www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/default.htm

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Orange County: www.nami.org

National Mental Health Association: www.nmha.org/ccd/support/treatment.cfm

---

© 2004, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.).

Visit the Register on the World Wide Web at http://www.ocregister.com

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

_________________________________________________________________

Lose those love handles! MSN Fitness shows you two moves to slim your waist.

http://fitness.msn.com/articles/feeds/article.aspx?dept=exercise & article=et_pv_0\

30104_lovehandles

[Guest guest]

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/8440516.htm

Posted on Thu, Apr. 15, 2004

Antidepressant advisory raises questions

BY LISA LIDDANE

The Orange County Register

(KRT) - Every time Sue Mathews reads or hears reports about a depressed teen

who has committed suicide, her heart grieves a little. That child could have

been her 15-year-old son, had Mathews not found a way to get him help four

years ago.

His saving grace was an antidepressant that belonged to a class of

medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration cautioned doctors, families and

patients about the need to closely monitor children and adults with

depression, especially at the beginning of treatment with medication, or

when the doses are increased or decreased. The FDA is evaluating studies in

children to determine whether SSRIs may elevate the risk of suicidal

thoughts and actions.

While Mathews, 50, of Mission Viejo, Calif., agrees that vigilance is

paramount, she is concerned that this advisory may intensify the stigma that

some depressed teens associate with taking antidepressants. She is worried

that parents may reject the option of medication. " The worst thing that a

parent can do is to not take the symptoms or behavior seriously, as if it's

something their child can control, " Mathews said. " But the second worst

thing is to acknowledge it, then do nothing. "

Some mental-health experts also have reservations about the advisory.

Here, questions and answers about SSRIs and the FDA alert:

Q: What is the purpose of the advisory?

A: It has two recommendations: Adults and children prescribed

antidepressants should be closely monitored for worsening depression,

suicidal thinking and certain other behaviors when they first take these

medications or when the dosage is changed. Manufacturers of 10

antidepressants are being asked to include stronger cautions and warnings

about the need to monitor patients for worsening depression and suicidal

thoughts.

Q: Which are these antidepressants?

A: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Luvox, Celexa, Lexapro, Wellbutrin, Effexor,

Serzone and Remeron.

Q: What is the advisory based on?

A: The FDA has been reviewing the results of SSRI studies in children since

June 2003, after an initial report on studies with paroxetine (Paxil) and

subsequent reports on studies of other medications appeared to suggest a

greater risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in children taking

antidepressants. But on close examination of the initial reports, it was

unclear whether certain behaviors reported in these studies represented

actual suicide attempts, or other behavior to injure oneself was not

suicide-related. The agency is in the midst of reviewing studies on

antidepressant use in children.

One of the areas of controversy is the potential for SSRIs to cause side

effects such as suicidal thoughts and akathisia, a condition in which one

feels restlessness or desire to move, both of which can be risk factors for

suicide, said Dr. Gerald Maguire, associate professor of clinical psychiatry

at the University of California, Irvine.

Q: Were there suicides in the trials of these SSRIs before they were

approved for use?

A: No, there were none.

Q: What are the merits of the advisory?

A: SSRIs are commonly prescribed medicines, so it's a good reminder to

physicians about how important it is to accurately diagnose depression and

to closely monitor patients, Maguire said.

Q: What are the potential disadvantages of the advisory?

A: Mental-health professionals identified several concerns: " The FDA is

misguided here and may stigmatize taking medication further, " Maguire said.

" SSRIs have provided benefits and will continue to provide benefits for

many years to come. "

In a statement, Dr. Marcia Goin, president of the American Psychiatric

Association, said: " It would be tragic if publicity around the FDA advisory

kept people with depression from getting the help they deserve or caused

parents to hesitate in seeking needed help for their children. Suicidal

thoughts and behaviors are all-too-common symptoms of depression. The

biggest threat to a depressed person's well-being is to receive no care at

all. "

People who are taking SSRI antidepressants might stop taking their

medications abruptly, said Darlene Cronin, executive director of NAMI in

Orange County, Calif. Serious side effects such as insomnia, agitation,

anxiety or relapse of depression could occur.

Q: What should families do if a loved one wants to stop taking an SSRI?

A: Contact the patient's doctor immediately so the physician can evaluate

the circumstances. A patient should not stop taking an antidepressant

without the guidance and monitoring of his/her doctor.

Q: Where can I get more information?

A: Go to:

Food and Drug Administration:

www.fda.gov/cder/drug/antidepressants/default.htm

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Orange County: www.nami.org

National Mental Health Association: www.nmha.org/ccd/support/treatment.cfm

---

© 2004, The Orange County Register (Santa Ana, Calif.).

Visit the Register on the World Wide Web at http://www.ocregister.com

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.

_________________________________________________________________

Lose those love handles! MSN Fitness shows you two moves to slim your waist.

http://fitness.msn.com/articles/feeds/article.aspx?dept=exercise & article=et_pv_0\

30104_lovehandles