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| | | From: Rene (Original Message) | Sent: 4/4/2006 9:06 PM |
SSRI Anti-Depressant Drugs May Increase Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s The activity of the connections between brain cells significantly affects levels of the toxic protein beta-amyloid which is a major cause of Alzheimer's disease. The protein beta-amyloid is produced by the cleavage of amyloid precursor protein within brain cells. Findings presented in the scientific journal, Neuron, suggest that antidepressant drugs could affect the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease risk or affect the progression of the disease. "Drugs used to treat neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression or anxiety, among many others, directly influence neurotransmitters (brain chemicals), and their receptors, thereby altering synaptic activity," they wrote. "Thus, it is likely that these drugs might influence beta-amyloid levels within specified neuronal networks as well. If so, such drugs could potentially influence risk or progression of Alzheimer's disease." Source: Neuron, 2005 Exposure to SSRI’s Early in Life Produces Abnormal Emotional Behaviors in Adults The question of whether SSRI antidepressants, such as Fluoxetine (Prozac), are safe and more effective than dummy pills for treating child and adolescent depression (CAD) remains highly contentious, says Amir Raz, at Columbia University and at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, in New York City. Raz says that when it comes to treating child and adolescent depression, "there are few compelling data sets, free of funding from drug companies, concerning the efficacy of antidepressant medications over and above their placebo value." "The recent history of SSRIs is replete with inconsistent verdicts about their safety," he says. For example, despite issuing a "black box" warning label on antidepressants stating that they may increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in depressed children and adolescents, the FDA went on to endorse the safety of these drugs for treating child and adolescent depression. In addressing possible implications of SSRI use for child and adolescent depression, Raz points to data in mouse studies suggesting that exposure to SSRIs early in life produces abnormal emotional behaviors in adults. "Some exploratory findings suggest that artificial perturbation of serotonin function in early life may alter the normal development of brain systems related to stress, motor development, and motor control." Given all of the limitations surrounding the data on SSRIs, Raz urges patients and physicians to "demand stronger evidence for the efficacy of antidepressants for child and adolescent depression." Source: Public Library of Science, 2005 In my book ‘Treating and Beating Anxiety and Depression,�?I site further information about how SSRI medications can lead to permanent changes in the brain chemistry: “And studies now show that using SSRI’s eventually cause the brain to release less and less serotonin. Eventually the brain begins to reduce the number of serotonin receptors. The reduction of serotonin receptors may become permanent. If so, the patient is most likely doomed to a life of anxiety and depression.�?nbsp;
Treating and Beating Anxiety & Depression
I encourage those taking prescription antidepressants to explore more natural approaches, including the amino acid therapy and orthomolecular medicine discussed in my new book, "Treating and Beating Anxiety & Depression." 141 pages
Did your doctor tell you that antidepressants have actually been shown to increase the risk of suicide? Prozac® alone has been associated with over 1,734 suicide deaths and over 28,000 adverse reactions. Prescription antidepressants can cause anxiety, depression, addiction, suicidal tendencies, poor sleep, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, weight gain, confusion, involuntary muscle spasms, and senility. Antidepressants can actually deplete serotonin. Studies now show that SSRIs eventually cause the brain to release less and less serotonin. Up to 70% of those taking antidepressant drugs would see the same benefits from a placebo. [For those of us with most of these DD's I really question this statement, however I'm hoping we can all find healthier alternatives. RM]
From Dr. Roger Murphree's newsletter
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| | | From: Rene | Sent: 4/15/2006 7:49 PM |
Dear Friends, Here is some recent news that I think you should be aware of.
Heart Disease Patients Using SSRIs Higher Risk of Death - Anti-Depressant Drugs Increase May Be Dangerous - Duke University Medical Center - March 4th 2006
Researchers from Duke University Medical Center have discovered that coronary artery disease patients who take common antidepressant drugs may have a significantly higher risk of death. Even after accounting for such factors as age, degree of heart disease and severity of depression, the researchers found that heart patients taking antidepressant medications had a 55 percent higher risk of dying.
The study suggests that doctors should reconsider treatment options for heart disease patients with depression. The Duke team-leader, Lana Watkins, Ph.D., say that the findings add further support the potential role of non-pharmocological approaches to treating depression, such as exercise, for reducing the risk of death in depressed heart patients. She recommends close monitoring of heart patients taking antidepressants.
The research was not definitive. According to Watkins, it was only an observational study. The patients were not randomized to receive an antidepressant or a placebo drug, therefore characteristics of the patients, such as more likelihood for their depression or their medical condition to worsen, may be responsible for the effects.
She says that a randomized study is needed to form a conclusion, plus to “better understand whether antidepressant use is identifying patients likely to have more severe or worsening depression or worsening medical disease during the follow-up period.�?
Until now, researchers were unaware of a mortality risk. Watkins said “We were surprised since antidepressants, particularly the newer class of antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), have been generally considered safe�?Even after taking into account many patient variables, as well as the type of antidepressant, the risk still remained. So there is something important going on here that we don't fully understand."
During the past decade, doctors have considered depression an important risk factor for patients with coronary artery disease. Anti-depressant drug prescriptions have increased for these patients. Until now there has not been any data accompanied by tabulated scientific research, especially concerning SSRIs on mortality.
Watkins presented here analysis to the March 4, 2006 annual meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society in Denver. The research was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Dr. Murphree's Comment
I agree with Dr. Watkins. Exploring more natural therapies for mood disorders is the way to go, especially in light of the information above.
Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI's) including Paxil, Zolft, Prozac, Celexa, Lexapro, and others can be helpful in restoring optimal serotonin levels. However, these medications may lead to unwanted side effects including weight gain, decreased sex drive, insomnia, fatigue, dizziness, muscle spasms or twitching, and believe it or not, anxiety and depression.They deplete our body's own natural sleep hormone, melatonin, which can then lead to poor sleep, increased pain and further fatigue. Additional research has (as I reported on in past Health Alert) suggested that there is a connection between theses medications and Alzheimers.
If you're interested in a natural treatment that has helped thousands of individuals beat anxiety and depression, please consider reading my book, "Treating and Beating Anxiety and Depression with Orthomolecular Medicine."
Take my Brain Function Questionnaire which will uncover any deficient brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) and amino acids needed to beat your mood disorder naturally. http://www.fibromyalgiacfsstore.com/brainfunc.html Thank you for taking the time to read this news flash. Please use the box below to forward it to a friend who might be interested in reading it.
Wishing you all the best, Dr. Rodger Murphree
www.treatingandbeating.com 1-888-884-9577
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| | | From: Rene | Sent: 6/21/2006 9:17 PM |
Paxil Warning Letter Sent to Your Doctor
GlaxoSmithKline and the U.S. FDA have sent a letter to doctors warning that the antidepressant Paxil could increase the risk of suicidal behavior in young adults.
During clinical trials testing the drug, there were 11 suicide attempts made by participants taking Paxil, compared to only one suicide attempt among those taking a placebo. The 18-30 age group was at the highest risk, accounting for eight of the 11 Paxil-related incidents. Most antidepressants currently have labels warning patients of the risk of suicidal behavior. The FDA has stressed that patients taking Paxil should be carefully monitored.
New York Times May 12, 2006 ABC News May 12, 2006
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Dr. Mercola's Comment:
This letter is being sent almost a year after the FDA mandated stronger warning labels on 10 selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) -- the most commonly prescribed class of antidepressants. However, the FDA still hasn't announced changes to existing SSRI guidelines, and they're urging patients not to stop taking their Paxil. There is no doubt that depression is a very serious problem that can devastate your health and cause you to leave the planet prematurely by suicide. In my estimation, depression has the potential to cause far more serious health consequences than all the poor food choices, toxins and poisons we regularly expose ourselves to. If you feel sad or blue and want to see if you are actually depressed please review the comprehensive depression guidelines I compiled that also include effective therapeutic strategies. Conventional medical wisdom would have you believe that the solution to depression is to pop one or more pills daily, for months or for the rest of your life, to restore your "chemical imbalance" and bring you "back to normal." But in fact, not only are antidepressants potentially dangerous, many studies show that there is very little difference between most antidepressants and placebos. In the vast majority of cases it may be that some benefit is noticed because the person taking the pill believes that the pill will heal their depression, rather than the pill itself doing anything at all. And if that is the case, why not use a method that does not involve potentially toxic chemicals? There are far safer and healthier options available to you than taking an SSRI or any other drug for depression: Take a high-quality krill oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids. If you haven't read Dr. Stoll's book on this subject, it is highly recommended. Start an exercise program today. This is one of the best-kept secrets for fighting depression. Learn how to use an energy psychology tool like the Emotional Freedom Technique. Energy psychology tools are one of the most powerful methods I know of, and really are a crucial element of a successful treatment program. For serious problems, it would be prudent to not treat yourself with EFT; instead, contact a health care professional who is trained in the technique. You can use the list of guidelines and practitioners compiled by Dr. Patricia Carrington. (eftsupport.com)
Related Articles:
Children Should Not Take Paxil Antidepressants Causing Suicides in Kids Drug Company Tells Staff Not to Reveal Paxil?s Ineffectiveness
From: http://www.mercola.com/2006/may/30/paxil_warning_letter_sent_to_your_doctor.htm |
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Reply
| | | From: Rene | Sent: 7/20/2006 1:38 AM |
Truth in the offing
One of the recurring topics in the Daily Dose is the link between antidepressant drugs and suicides and violence. The reason I've spilled so much ink on the topic is that it's such a convoluted and important story. And, because the mainstream media is shamelessly underplaying the story.
In the past, with nary a parallel mention in the major news outlets, I've reported on: - Studies that plainly show an increase in suicide rates between teenage test subjects on antidepressants and control groups taking placebos. (Daily Dose, 12/19/2005)
- Heinous crimes linked to antidepressants, like a 12-year-old shot-gunning his grandparents - and I'm sure I don't need to remind you of the role an antidepressant drug played in the Columbine massacre. (Daily Does, 11/2/2004)
- How Big Pharma hid negative study results indicating an increase in teen suicides from antidepressants. (Daily Dose, 3/26/2004)
- How the FDA has played along in covering up the evidence damning these murderous medications. (Daily Dose 10/14/2004)
And now, there's more news to report in this ongoing tragedy the whole of American culture seems content to simply accept...
According to a recent Reuters online article, the suicide risk of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drugs isn't limited to adolescents and children. Some recent research shows that it can increase suicides among the ELDERLY by almost 4 times over!
A recently released Canadian study examined the medical and hospitalization records of 1.2 million patients over age 65 between 1992 and 2000. Among the data they found when they isolated out those relative few being treated for depression was this startling tidbit:
62 elderly patients who were newly prescribed an SSRI drug killed themselves within the first month of therapy, compared to "only" 17 who were prescribed antidepressants of a different class over the same treatment interval. Among a sample pool of elderly people ostensibly equally predisposed to suicide (depression patients) drawn from a vastly diverse larger pool over a period of years and across a huge nation - those who took the same drugs that had been linked to an increased risk of suicide among young people killed themselves at a rate nearly 4 times as high as those relying on other treatments.
Think that's some pretty damning evidence? I do.
The researchers also noticed that the SSRI-takers were more likely to commit suicide in bloody and violent ways compared to those who shuffled off their mortal coil (a little Hamlet suicide lingo for you there) while taking other types of antidepressants...
Of course, this story has been out for almost a month. But have you read about it in USA Today or the Washington Post? Nope. THAT's why I keep writing about antidepressant drugs - because almost no one else out there is.
And because it just may save your life or the life of someone you love, young or old.
Keeping you abreast, but I hope not depressed,
William Campbell Douglass II, MD
Copyright (c)1997-2006 by www.douglassreport.com, L.L.C. The Daily Dose may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission.
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