The Side Effects Of Common Psychiatric Drugs: Newer Antidepressants
The Side Effects Of Common Psychiatric Drugs: Newer Antidepressants
(Including Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors or SSRIs; Selective or Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors or SNRIs)
BRAND NAMES (generic names):
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors*)
1. Akarin (citalopram)
2. Apo-Sertral (sertraline)
3. Aropax (paroxetine)
4. Asentra (sertraline)
5. Celexa (citalopram)
6. Cipralex (escitalopram)
7. Cipram (citalopram)
8. Cipramil (citalopram)
9. Citopam (citalopram)
11. Dumyrox (fluvoxamine)
12. Eufor (fluoxetine)
13. Faverin (fluvoxamine)
14. Floxyfral (fluvoxamine)
15. Fluctine (fluoxetine)
16. Fluocim (fluoxetine)
17. Fluox (fluoxetine)
18. Fluvox (fluvoxamine)
19. Gladem (sertraline)
20. Ladose (fluoxetine)
21. Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate)
22. Lovan (fluoxetine)
23. Lustral (sertraline)
24. Luvox (fluvoxamine)
25. Paroxat (paroxetine)
26. Paxil (paroxetine)
27. Pexeva (paroxetine)
28. Prisdal (citalopram)
29. Prozac (fluoxetine hydrochloride)
30. Psiquial (fluoxetine)
31. Sarafem (fluoxetine hydrochloride)
32. Sercerin (sertraline)
33. Serlift (sertraline)
34. Seroplex (escitalopram)
35. Seroplexa (escitalopram)
36. Seropram (paroxetine)
37. Seroxat (paroxetine)
38. Sipralexa (escitalopram)
39. Tolrest (sertraline)
40. Veritina (fluoxetine)
41. Zoloft (sertraline hydrochloride)
42. Xydep (sertraline)
SNRIs (Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors*)
2. Cymbalta (duloxetine)
3. Dalcipran (milnacipran)
4. Dobupal (venlafaxine)
5. Efectin (venlafaxine)
6. Effexor (venlafaxine)
7. Ixel (milnacipran)
8. Pristiq (desvenlafaxine)
9. Yentreve (duloxetine)
SNRIs (Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors*)
1. Edronax (reboxetine)
2. Outonin (nefazodone)
3. Merital (nomifensine)
4. Norebox (reboxetine)
5. Serzone (nefazodone)
6. Strattera (atomoxetine)
7. Vestra (reboxetine)
NDRIs (Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors*)
1. Odranal (bupropion)
2. Wellbutrin (bupropion)
3. Zyban (bupropion)
OTHER
1. Desyrel (trazodone) 2. Dutonin (nefazodone) 3. Ludiomil (maprotiline hydrochloride) 4. Nedafar (nefazodone) 5. Serzone (nefazodone) 6. Symbyax (fluoxetine and olanzapine – antidepressant/antipsychotic mix)
SIDE EFFECTS:
§ Abnormal bleeding or bruising
§ Abnormal thoughts
§ Agitation
§ Akathisia (severe
§ restlessness)
§ Anxiety
§ Black and tarry stools
§ Blisters
§ Blood in stools
§ Bloody vomit
§ Blurred or changes in vision
§ Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
§ Burping
§ Changes in ability to taste food
§ Changes in sexual desire or ability
§ Chest pain
§ Coma
§ Confusion
§ Constipation
§ Cough
§ Dark colored urine
§ Delusions
§ Diarrhea
§ Difficult, frequent, or painful urination
§ Difficulty breathing or swallowing
§ Difficulty concentrating
§ Dizziness or faintness
§ Drowsiness
§ Dry mouth
§ Emotional numbing
§ Enlarged pupils (black circles in the middle of the eyes)
§ Eye pain or redness
§ Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
§ Fever
§ Flu-like symptoms
§ Flushing
§ Forgetfulness
§ Gas or bloating
§ Hallucinations
§ Headache
§ Heart attacks
§ Heartburn
§ Hives
§ Hoarseness
§ Hostility
§ Hot flashes or flushing
§ Hypomania (abnormal excitement)
§ Impotence
§ Increased appetite
§ Increased sweating
§ Indigestion
§ Insomnia
§ Itching
§ Joint pain
§ Lump or tightness in throat
§ Mania
§ Memory lapses
§ Mood swings
§ Muscle weakness or tightness
§ Nausea
§ Nervousness
§ Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome*
§ Nightmares
§ Numbness in your hands, feet, arms, or legs
§ Pain in the back, muscles, joints, or anywhere in the body
§ Pain in the upper right part of the stomach
§ Painful erection that lasts for hours
§ Painful or irregular menstruation
§ Panic attacks
§ Paranoia
§ Problems with coordination
§ Problems with teeth
§ Psychotic episodes
§ Rash
§ Restlessness
§ Ringing in the ears
§ Runny nose
§ Seizures
§ Sensitivity to light
§ Sexual dysfunction
§ Slow or difficult speech
§ Small purple spots on the skin
§ Sneezing
§ Sore throat, fever, chills, and other signs of infection
§ Stomach pain
§ Sudden muscle twitching or jerking that can’t be controlled
§ Sudden upset stomach
§ Suicidal thoughts or behavior
§ Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, hands, arms, feet, ankles, or lower legs
§ Swelling, itching, burning, or infection in the vagina
§ Tightness in hands and feet
§ Twitching
§ Uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
§ Violent behavior
§ Vomiting
§ Vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds
§ Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
§ Weakness or tiredness
§ Weight gain
§ Weight loss
§ Withdrawal symptoms include deeper depression
§ Yellowing of the skin or eyes30
Explanatory Note:
The newer antidepressants, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) emerged in the late 1980s/1990s, marketed as being capable of selectively targeting a chemical—serotonin—in the brain that was theorized to influence depression. This has remained a theory only. Serotonin (of which about only 5% is found in the brain) is one of the chemicals by which brain cells signal each other. SSRIs prevent serotonin from being naturally reabsorbed and thus create continued stimulation of cells. Norepinephrine is a hormone secreted by the adrenal gland that increases blood pressure and rate and depth of breathing, raises the level of blood sugar, and decreases the activity of the intestines.
Norepinephrine is very similar to its cousin, adrenaline. Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) boost levels of norepinephrine in addition to serotonin.
There is another SNRI, which is called Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors, and is largely prescribed for “ADHD” but carries the same suicide warning as SSRIs and other antidepressants. Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors (NDRIs) are said to influence norepinephrine and dopamine, another chemical messenger that is similar to adrenaline. There are no physical tests or scientific evidence to substantiate the theory that a chemical imbalance in the brain causes depression or any mental disorder.
Wellbutrin is a short-acting antidepressant and amphetamine-like drug similar to Ritalin and Dexedrine.
Strattera (atomoxetine) increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the frontal part of the brain and is a Selective NRI. The precise mechanism by which atomoxetine produces its effects on so-called ADHD is unknown.
General Warnings And Studies On Newer Antidepressants :
1997: Candace B. Pert, Research Professor at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and credited as one of the researchers that helped develop Prozac, wrote that SSRIs “may also cause cardiovascular problems in some susceptible people after longterm use, which has become common practice despite the lack of safety studies.” In 2002, she added, “They are supposed to help but they actually cause violence. There’s scientific literature that supports that.”31
March 22, 2004: The FDA warned that SSRIs could cause “anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, impulsivity, akathisia (severe restlessness), hypomania [abnormal excitement] and mania [psychosis characterized by exalted feelings, delusions of grandeur].”32
August 20, 2004: A Columbia University review of the pediatric clinical trials of Zoloft, Celexa, Effexor, Paxil, Prozac and another older antidepressant, found that young people who took them could experience suicidal thoughts or actions.33
2004: The British Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA, similar to the FDA) issued guidelines that children should not be given most SSRIs because clinical trial data showed an increased rate of harmful outcomes, including hostility.34
October 15, 2004: The FDA ordered pharmaceutical companies to add a “black box” warning to all antidepressants because the drugs could cause suicidal thoughts and actions in children and teenagers. The agency also directed the manufacturers to print and distribute medication guides with every antidepressant prescription and to inform patients of the risks.35
October 21, 2004: The New Zealand Medicines Adverse Reactions Committee recommended that old and new antidepressants not be administered to patients less than 18 years of age because of the potential risk of suicide.36
December 2004: The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration said children and adolescents prescribed SSRI antidepressants should be carefully monitored for the emergence of suicidal ideation. In a study involving Prozac, it said, there was an increase in adverse psychiatric events (acts and thoughts of suicide, self-harm, aggression and violence).37
December 9, 2004: The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products
for Human Use, representing 25 European countries, recommended that product information
should be changed for antidepressants (including SSRIs, SNRIs) to warn of the risk of
suicide-related behavior in children and adolescents and of withdrawal reactions when
stopping treatment. This was reaffirmed in April 2005, warning that the drugs increased
suicide-related behavior and hostility in young people.38
February 18, 2005: A study published in the British Medical Journal determined that
adults taking SSRI antidepressants were more than twice as likely to attempt suicide as
patients given placebo (a substance with no real effect; it contains no active ingredients
and is given to a patient in a clinical trial to assess and compare the performance of a new
drug).39
July 16, 2005: The British Medical Journal published a study, “Efficacy of antidepressants
in adults,” by Joanna Moncrieff, senior lecturer in psychiatry at University College London
who found that antidepressants, especially SSRIs, were no more effective than placebo and
did not reduce depression. In a media interview Dr. Moncrieff stated, “The bottom line is
that we really don’t have any good evidence that these drugs work.” 40
August 2005: The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration found a relationship
between SSRIs and suicidality, akathisia (severe restlessness), agitation, nervousness and
anxiety in adults. It also determined that similar symptoms could occur during withdrawal
from the drugs.41
August 19, 2005: The European Medicines Agency’s Committee for Medicinal Products
for Human Use issued its strongest warning against child SSRI antidepressant use, stating
that the drugs caused suicide attempts and thoughts, aggression, hostility, oppositional
behavior and anger.42
August 22, 2005: Norwegian researchers determined that patients taking SSRI
antidepressants were seven times more likely to experience suicide than those taking
placebo.43
May 1, 2006: An American Journal of Psychiatry study revealed that elderly people
prescribed SSRI antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft are almost five times
more likely to commit suicide during the first month on the drugs than those given other
classes of antidepressants.44
July 19, 2006: The FDA warned that migraine sufferers should not take SSRI or SNRI
antidepressants while taking migraine drugs known as triptans as it could result in a lifethreatening
condition called serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome occurs when the
body has too much serotonin; symptoms may include restlessness, hallucinations, loss of
coordination, fast heartbeat, rapid changes in blood pressure, increased body temperature,
overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Serotonin syndrome may be more
likely to occur when starting or increasing the dose of a triptan, SSRI or SNRI, according
to the FDA.45
May 2, 2007: The FDA officially extended the age group for the black box warning about
antidepressants inducing suicide from 18 to 24.46
January 2008: The Pharmacovigilance Working Party (advises on the safety and adverse
reactions of medicinal products authorized for use in the European Union) recommended
an update to product labeling and all antidepressant patient information leaflets to warn
about the increased risk of suicide in children and young adults taking them.47
January 22, 2008: The Annals of Pharmacotherapy published a study on the risk of
cerebrovascular (of or relating to the brain and the blood vessels that supply it) events
(CVE) associated with antidepressant use and found that a “24% increased risk of a CVE
was noted in patients with current exposure to selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors…
34% increased risk for current exposure to tricyclic antidepressants (older form of
antidepressant)… and 43% increased risk for current exposure to other antidepressants.”48
February 5, 2008: Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
advised that antidepressant manufacturers would be required to update warnings about
suicidal thoughts and behavior to align with EU agreements, as noted above in January
2008.49
February 26, 2008: Public Library of Science (PLoS) published an antidepressant efficacy study, which found that at moderate levels of depression there was virtually no difference
between antidepressants and placebo. Further, there was only a relatively small difference
for patients with very severe depression. The study concluded: “increased benefit for
extremely depressed patients seems attributable to a decrease in responsiveness to placebo,
rather than an increase in responsiveness to medication.”50
March 2008: Researchers conducted a study monitoring the daily news for accurate
scientific data regarding the theory that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance
and found there was no evidence to support it. Jeffrey Lacasse, a Florida State University
doctoral candidate and visiting lecturer in the College of Social Work, and Jonathan Leo, a
neuroanatomy professor at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee, found that reporters
were unable to cite or provide any evidence to substantiate that a chemical imbalance
or lack of serotonin caused depression, requiring antidepressants. Further, “[T]here are
few scientists who will rise to its defense, and some prominent psychiatrists publicly
acknowledge that the serotonin hypothesis is more metaphor than fact.” As such, SSRIs
cannot correct an imbalance that does not exist. The researchers said the popularity of the
theory was in large part based on the presumed efficacy of the SSRIs, but that several large
studies now cast doubt on this efficacy. 51
January 2009: The FDA issued a letter requiring the manufacturers of Paxil, to update
their drug safety label to include information on Serotonin Syndrome or Neuroleptic
Malignant Syndrome -like reactions associated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors.
Warnings Against newer antidepressants Ta ken During Pregnancy:
February 5, 2005: An analysis of World Health Organization medical records found that infants whose mothers took SSRI antidepressants while pregnant could suffer withdrawal effects.53
September 7, 2005: The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned that SSRI antidepressant use during pregnancy could cause “withdrawal effects that can be severe or life-threatening.”54
September 27, 2005: The FDA warned that Paxil and other SSRI antidepressants taken during the first trimester of pregnancy could cause increased risk of major birth defects, including heart malformations in newborn infants.55
February 6, 2006: A study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine determined that nearly one-third of newborn infants whose mothers took SSRI antidepressants during pregnancy experienced withdrawal symptoms that included highpitched crying, tremors and disturbed sleep.56
March 10, 2006: Health Canada issued a warning that pregnant women taking SSRIs and other newer antidepressants placed newborns at risk of developing a rare lung and heart condition.57
October 2007: A study released at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry showed that babies born to mothers who took antidepressants during pregnancy had high levels of cortisol (hormone that helps manage blood pressure) in umbilical cord-blood at birth and that the mothers were more likely to experience delivery complications. When examined at two weeks of age, these infants were more excitable than those born to women who did not take antidepressants.58
May 6, 2008: The results of a study of 200 pregnant women, was presented at the
annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association. About half of the women were
diagnosed with depression, and half of these took SSRIs throughout pregnancy. About
23% of those who took SSRIs gave birth to pre-term babies at a rate that was nearly four
times that experienced by women (6%) who did not take antidepressants or did not have
depression.59
WARNINGS ON SPECIFIC newer antidepressants:
CYMBALT A (duloxetine, SNRI):
June 30, 2005: The FDA warned that Cymbalta could increase suicidal thinking or behavior
in pediatric patients taking it.60
October 17, 2005: The FDA ordered Eli Lilly & Co. to add a warning to the packaging of
Cymbalta that it could cause liver damage.61
October 2, 2007: The FDA faxed Eli Lilly & Co. about its professional mailer for Cymbalta,
stating that it was “false or misleading in that it overstates the efficacy of Cymbalta and
omits some of the most serious and important risk information associated with its use.”62
PAXIL (paroxetine, SSRI):
September 27, 2005: The FDA warned that Paxil taken by pregnant women in their first
trimester might cause birth defects, including heart malformations.63
May 12, 2006: GlaxoSmithKline, the manufacturer of Paxil, wrote to doctors warning that
Paxil increased the risk of suicide in adults.64
January 29, 2008: The Canadian Medical Association Journal published a study on the
effectiveness of Paxil that involved data from 40 trials and “showed an absence of a positive
effect of paroxetine [Paxil].”65
STRATTERA (atomoxetine, SNRI):
Often prescribed to treat ADHD as well as depression.
December 17, 2004: The FDA required that Strattera packaging carry a new warning
advising, “Severe liver injury may progress to liver failure resulting in death or the need
for a liver transplant in a small percentage of patients.”66 The drug should be discontinued
in patients who develop jaundice (condition that causes yellowness of the skin, eyes and
body fluids) or liver injury. The FDA also noted, “The labeling warns that severe liver
injury may progress to liver failure resulting in death or the need for a liver transplant in
a small percentage of patients.”67 Signs of the possible liver problems included jaundice,
dark urine, unexplained flu-like symptoms, upper right-side abdominal tenderness and a
form of itchy skin known as pruritus (caused by irritation of the sensory nerve endings).68
Other common side effects were headache, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, anorexia
(eating “disorder”) and weight loss, nervousness, somnolence (drowsiness).69
September 29, 2005: The FDA directed Eli Lilly & Co. to revise Strattera labeling to
include a boxed warning about the increased risk of suicidal thinking in children and
adolescents taking it.70
July 2008: Health Canada published an article entitled “Atomoxetine [Strattera] and
suicidal behavior: update” in its Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter, stating that as of
December 2007, 1989 adverse reactions had been reported. Of these, 55 were classified
as suicide attempt with about 75% of those being children. They stressed that health care
providers needed to remind patients and family members to monitor moods, behaviors,
thoughts and feelings when ADHD medication was used.71
March 2009: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (UK) published
in their Drug Safety Update newsletter new information about atomoxetine (Strattera, a
non-stimulant ADHD drug). They warned that atomoxetine is associated with treatmentemergent
psychotic or manic symptoms in children without a history of such disorders.72
WELLBUTRIN (bupropion):
The FDA approved Wellbutrin as an antidepressant in 1985 but because of the significant
incidence of seizures at the originally recommended dose (400-600 mg), the drug was
withdrawn in 1986. It was reintroduced in 1989 with a maximum dose of 450 mg per
day. In 1996, the FDA approved a sustained release (taken twice daily) for treatment of
depression. The same drug is marketed in slow-release form as Zyban for people trying
to quit smoking.73 While Wellbutrin is not FDA-approved to treat ADHD, doctors still
prescribe it for this.
It can cause seizures and at rates of four times that of other antidepressants.74 Fatal heart
attacks in those with a history of heart-rhythm disturbances have occurred.75 Other side
effects include agitation, insomnia, increased restlessness, anxiety, delusions, hallucinations,
psychotic episodes, confusion, weight loss and paranoia.76 Teens have abused the drug by
crushing and snorting it, causing seizures.77
*Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: A potentially fatal toxic reaction where patients break into
fevers and become confused, agitated and extremely rigid. An estimated 100,000 Americans have
died from it after taking the older antipsychotics.88
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62 “NDA # 21-733. CYMBALTA® (duloxetine hydrochloride) Delayed-release Capsules. MACMIS # 14550,” FDA, 2 Oct. 2007.
63 “Paroxetine,” FDA Public Health Advisory, 8 Dec. 2005.
64 Benedict Carey and Gardiner Harris, “Antidepressant May Raise Suicide Risk,” The New York Times, 12 May 2006.
65 Corrado Barbui, M.D., et al., “Effectiveness of paroxetine in the treatment of acute major depression in adults: a systematic reexamination
of published and unpublished data from randomized trials,” Canadian Medical Association Journal, Vol. 178, No. 3, 29
Jan. 2008.
66 “New Warning for Strattera,” FDA Talk Paper, 17 Dec. 2004.
67 “Attention Drug to Get New Warning,” Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2004.
68 “Strattera to Get New Risk Label,” The Washington Post, 18 Dec. 2004.
69 “New Drugs in Pipeline,” Psychiatric News, 21 Dec. 2001.
70 “Lilly to add suicide warning to Strattera,” ABC News, 29 Sept. 2005.
71 “Atomoxetine and suicidal behavior: update,” Canadian Adverse Reaction Newsletter, Vol. 18, Iss. 3, July 2008.
72 “Atomoxetine: risk of psychotic or manic symptoms,” Drug Safety Update, MHRA, Vol. 2, Iss. 8, March 2009.
73 “Teen Suffers Seizure After Snorting Antidepressant,” HealthScoutNews Reporter, 23 Apr., 2003.
74 Op. cit., Prozac Truth website.
75 Alice Park, “More Drugs To Treat Hyperactivity,” TIME Magazine, 10 Sept. 2001.
76 Op. cit., Prozac Truth website.
77HealthScoutNews Reporter.
78 Op. cit. Physicians’ Desk Reference, http://www.pdrhealth.com.
79 “Suicidality in Children and Adolescents Being Treated With Antidepressant Medications,” FDA Public Health Advisory, 15 Oct.
2004.
80 Op cit.New Zealand Ministry of Health.
81 Italian Official Gazette, No. 224, 26 Sept. 2005.
82 “Depression in Children and Young People,” National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, Sept. 2005, pp. 16, 18 and 28.
83 FDA, “Antidepressant Use in Children, Adolescents, and Adults,” www.fda.gov/CDER/Drug/antidepressants?default.html, updated
2 May 2007.
84 Op. Cit.Maria Bishop.
85 “Antidepressant drug use and risk of venous thromboembolism,” Pharmacotherapy, Vol. 28, No. 2, 28 Feb. 2008.
86 Physicians’ Desk Reference, http://www.pdrhealth.com; “ABILIFY Rx Only (aripiprazole) Tablets,” Package Insert, revised Mar.
2004; “GENERIC NAME: Aripiprazole BRAND NAME: Abilify,” Internet URL: http://www.MedicineNet.com, Last Editorial
Review: 9/8/04; “Aripiprazole Brand Name: Abilify,” Internet URL: http://www.HealthyPlace.com, Ty C. Colbert, Rape of the Soul,
How the Chemical Imbalance Model of Modern Psychiatry has Failed its Patients, (Kevco Publishing, California, 2001), p. 106.
87 Robert Whitaker, Mad in America: Bad Science, Bad Medicine, and the Enduring Mistreatment of the Mentally Ill, (Perseus
Publishing, New York, 2002), pp. 182, 186.
88 Op. cit., Robert Whitaker, p. 208.
89 George Crane, “Tardive Dyskinesia in Patients Treated with Major Neuroleptics: A Review of the Literature,” American Journal of
Psychiatry, Vol. 124, Supplement, 1968, pp. 40-47.
90 Michael J. Burns, “The Pharmacology and Toxicology of Atypical Antipsychotic Agents,” Journal of Toxicology, 1 Jan. 2001.
91 Ibid.
92 “FDA: Antipsychotic Drugs, Diabetes Linked,” Associated Press Online, 18 Sept. 2003.
93 “Atypical antipsychotics and hyperglycaemia,” Australian Adverse Drug Reactions Bulletin, Vol. 23, No. 3, June 2004.
94 Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D., et al., “Effectiveness of Antipsychotic Drugs in Patients with Chronic Schizophrenia,” The New England Journal of Medicine, Vol. 353, No. 12, 22 Sept. 2005.
95 Philip S. Wang, et al., “Risk of Death in Elderly Users of Conventional vs. Atypical Antipsychotic Medication,” The New England
Journal of Medicine, Vol. 353, No. 22, 1 Dec. 2005.
96 Marilyn Elias, “New antipsychotic drugs carry risks for children; Side effects can lead to bigger health problems,” USA Today, 2
May 2006.
97 Peter Tyrer, et al., “Risperidone, haloperidol, and placebo in the treatment of aggressive challenging behaviour in patients with
intellectual disability: a randomized controlled trial,” The Lancet, Vol. 371, 5 Jan. 2008.
98 Wilma Knol, M.D., et al., “Antipsychotic Drug Use and Risk of Pneumonia in Elderly People,” The American Geriatrics Society, Vol.
56, No. 4, pp. 661-666, Apr. 2008.80
99 Hugo Lovheim, M.D., Stig Karlsoon, R.N., Ph.D., et al., “The use of central nervous system drugs and analgesics among very old
people with and without dementia,” Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety, 9 Apr. 2008.
100 Paula A. Rochon, M.D., MPH, FRCPC, et al., “Antipsychotic Therapy and Short-term Serious Events in Older Adults With
Dementia,” The Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 168, No. 10, 26 May 2008.
101 “Information for Healthcare Professionals Antipsychotics,” FDA, June 2008; “US FDA expands antipsychotic drug warning,”
Reuters UK, 17 June 2008.
102 “Update on the safety of antipsychotic medicines – risk of stroke and increased risk of mortality in elderly patients treated for
dementia,” Drug Safety Newsletter, Iss. 30, Apr. 2009, p. 5.
103 MedicineNet.com, Last Editorial Review: 9/8/04.
104 “Abilify Information,” Pharma-Help.com.
105 “The New Anti-Psychotic Drug Aripiprazole (ABILIFY),” Public Citizen’s eLetter, Apr. 2003.
106 Op. cit., “ABILIFY Rx Only (aripiprazole) Tablets,”
107 “Clozapine and Achy Breaky Hearts,” MedSafe, May 2008.
108 Watching Briefs, MedSafe, June 2008.
109 “Information for Healthcare Professionals Haloperidol (marketed as Haldol, Haldol Decanoate and Haldol Lactate),” FDA ALERT,
17 Sept. 2007.
110 Jeff Swiatek, “Uncertainty was Driver in Zyprexa Deal,” IndianapolisStar.com, 11 June 2005.
111 Op. cit., Jeffrey A. Lieberman, M.D., et al.
112 “Study: New drugs little better for schizophrenia,” St. Petersburg Times, 20 Sept. 2005.
113 “Important Safety Information about ZYPREXA® (olanzapine),” Eli Lilly and Company, 5 Oct. 2007; “Lilly Announces Updates
to the Zyprexa and Symbyax U.S. Labels,” PRNewswire, Bio-Medicine, 5 Oct. 2007.
114 ZYPREXA Safety Information, www.zyprexa.com.
115 Physicians’ Desk Reference, http://www.pdrhealth.com.
116 Tracey McVeigh, “Tranquilizers ‘more lethal than heroin,’” The Observer, 5 Nov. 2000.
117 Matt Clark, Mary Hager, “Valium Abuse: The Yellow Peril,” Newsweek, 24 Sept. 1979; Dr. Patrick Holford, “How to Quit
Tranquilizers,” www.patrickholdford.com, 2008.
118 Ibid.
119 Op. cit., Tracey McVeigh.
120 “Elderly On Long-Acting Anxiety, Insomnia Drugs Have More Car Crashes,” Doctor’s Guide citing Journal of American Medical
Association, 30 June 1997.
121 “Agression, Violence & Bezodiazapines,” Benzo.org.uk, citing British National Formulary, 2001.
122 Benzo.org.uk, citing Professor C. Heather Ashton, Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How To Withdraw, Feb. 2001.
123 “The Influence on the Pharmaceutical Industry,” House of Commons, UK, Health Committee, Vol. 1, Mar. 2005. p. 65.
124 Tarja-Brita R. Wahlin, et al., “Falls and fall risk among nursing home residents,” The Journal of Clinical Nursing, Vol. 17, pp. 126-
134, Jan. 2008.
125 “Europe-wide review recommends updates to product information for varenicline (brand name Champix),” MHRA, 14 Dec. 2008.
126 “Early Communication About an Ongoing Safety Review Varenicline (marketed as Chantix),” FDA, 20 Nov. 2007.
127 “Varenicline (marketed as Chantix) Information,” FDA Alert, 1 Feb. 2008.
128 Op. cit., House of Commons, UK, Health Committee, p. 65.
129 Anna Maria Dademan, “Flunitrazepam and violence—psychiatric and legal issues,” Department of Clinical Neuroscience,
Occupational Therapy and Elderly Care, Research Division of Forensic Psychiatry, Karolinska Institute, Sweden, 2000, p. 43.
130 “Zolpidem (‘Stilnox’) – Updated information – February 2008,” Theraputic Goods Administration, 21 Feb. 2008; “Club Drugs: An
Update,” Drug Intelligence Brief, Drug Enforcement Administration, Sept. 2001.
131 “FDA Safety Changes: Ambien, Primazin IM/IV, Hepsera,” Medscape, 28 Aug. 2008.
132 Peter Breggin, Toxic Psychiatry, (St. Martin’s Press, New York, 1991) p. 245.
133 Jerrold F. Rosenbaum, et al., “Emergence of Hostility During Alprazolam Treatment in Borderline Personality Disorder,” The
American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 141, No. 6 (June 1984), pp. 792-793.
134 David L. Gardner and Rex W. Cowdrey, “Alprazolam-Induced Dyscontrol in Borderline Personality Disorder,” The American
Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 142, No. 1 (Jan. 1985), pp. 98-100.
135 “Xanax addiction extremely tough to kick,” MSNBC News Online, 2001.
136 Statement by Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Chairman and President, “Under the Counter: The Diversion and Abuse of Controlled
Prescription Drugs in the U.S.” The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, July 2005.
137 Physicians’ Desk Reference, (Medical Economics Company, New Jersey, 1998), pp. 2822-2823; David L. Richman, M.D., Leonard
Roy Frank, and Art Mandler, Dr. Caligari’s Psychiatric Drugs (Alonzo Printing Co., Inc., California, 1984), p. 39.
138 Op. cit., David L. Richman, M.D., et al., pp. 38-39.
139 Ibid.
Source: http://www.cchrint.org/pdfs/The_Side_Effects_of_Common_Psychiatric_Drugs.pdf
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