Advisory
2004-31
June 3, 2004
For immediate release
Health Canada advises Canadians of stronger warnings
for SSRIs and other newer anti-depressants
These new warnings indicate that patients of all ages
taking these drugs may experience behavioural and/or
emotional changes that may put them at increased risk
of SELF HARM OR HARM TO OTHERS.
Patients taking drugs of this type may feel worse
instead of better. They may experience unusual
feelings of agitation, hostility or anxiety, or have
impulsive or disturbing thoughts that could involve
SELF HARM OR HARM TO OTHERS.
It is very important that patients do NOT stop taking
their medication without first consulting with their
doctor due to the labelled risk of "discontinuation
symptoms" with all of these drugs.
Doctors are advised to carefully monitor patients of
all ages for emotional or behavioural changes that may
indicate potential for harm, including suicidal
thoughts and the onset or worsening of agitation-type
adverse events.
Health Canada conducted an analysis of all adverse
reactions experienced by patients taking SSRIs. The
Department felt it important to let health
professionals and consumers know of the possible risks
associated with the drugs.
This advisory applies to the following
anti-depressants:
Tapering off any SSRI/SNRI "antidepressant" like Lexapro will bring on depression. It's not the return of your "old" depression, it's a side effect of the drug.
Why do you care what other people think ? (There's a bumper sticker I love.... " Don't mind what other people think... they don't do it very often." )
