Furious Seasons

May 29, 2007

05-29-2007 Media Madness

Hi. I am mostly back in action this week, barring anything unforeseen.

John Grohol at Psych Central has an amazing/jaw-dropping post on just how ineffective anti-depressants are in teens and children. According to a study, only 1 out of 9 kids treated with an anti-depressant will see a response stronger than that achieved with a placebo. That's simply staggering. I wonder what the ratio is in adults.

Speaking of ineffective anti-depressants, CL Psych questions Pfizer's honesty in studies using Zoloft to treat PTSD.

Another patient is having trouble coming off Cymbalta. Sad. I've said it before, so here it comes again: Cymbalta is going to turn into a disaster for Eli Lilly.

Someone over at Cafe Pharma asks why J&J essentially stopped efforts to market Risperdal for bipolar disorder. Maybe 'cuz it's coming off patent soon? I'd love to know more about this.

Meanwhile, a man with schizophrenia muses on Zyprexa and deceptive feelings of being cured.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at May 29, 2007 11:25 AM

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Comments

I found this in the Seattle Times today about anti depressants and withdrawals. Interestingly, this short Q&A seems to give more information than most doctors who prescribe the meds.

Quitting antidepressants can be painful

"Q: I have had great trouble stopping the antidepressant Effexor. I tapered off this medicine as instructed, but I still have a feeling like electrical shocks going through my brain.

Getting off this drug has been a nightmare. If for some reason a person had to stop suddenly, he might go crazy with the withdrawal. Before stopping, I forgot to take my medicine with me on a short trip, and the symptoms were excruciating!

A: Many readers report difficulty stopping antidepressants such as Effexor or Paxil suddenly. The electric-shock sensation is a common symptom. Discontinuing such drugs requires medical supervision."

Posted by: Stephany at June 3, 2007 01:48 PM