Archive for December, 2009

With 2 million kids on antipsychotics (extremely powerful/dangerous drugs) FDA finally urges review of use in kids

Friday, December 4th, 2009

AttorneyAtLaw.com
December 4, 2009

The use of powerful antipsychotic drugs like Seroquel and Zyprexa in children should be further studied to determine the risks of metabolic disorders and other serious health complications, Food and Drug Administration staffers say in a new report.

FDA drug reviewers said medical researchers have found a direct link between the use of so-called atypical antipsychotics in younger children and weight gain, high cholesterol, and increased blood pressure, according to a Reuters news report.

Seroquel, Zyprexa and similar antipsychotic drugs are not approved for use in children, but an estimated two million American children are given the drugs by doctors each year to treat a variety of psychiatric disorders. An FDA advisory panel recently recommended approving their use in kids.

The research findings should prompt further FDA evaluation to determine the extent of the risks and possibly take action to limit the use of Zyprexa, Seroquel, and similar drugs in younger age groups, staff in the FDA’s division of pharmacovigilance wrote in an October 14 memo, according to Reuters.

Read entire article: http://www.attorneyatlaw.com/2009/12/fda-staff-urges-more-review-of-seroquel-and-zyprexa-use-in-kids/

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And yet another FDA warning – Depakote – used to treat people diagnosed “Bipolar” found to cause severe birth defects

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

FDA MedWatch Safety Information
Dec. 3, 2009

Audience: Neurological and Obstetrical healthcare professionals

The FDA notified health care professionals and patients about the increased risk of neural tube defects and other major birth defects, such as craniofacial defects and cardiovascular malformations, in babies exposed to valproate sodium and related products (valproic acid and divalproex sodium) during pregnancy. Healthcare practitioners should inform women of childbearing potential about these risks, and consider alternative therapies, especially if using valproate to treat migraines or other conditions not usually considered life-threatening.

Read entire article:  http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm192788.htm

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Another Antidepressant – Another Deadly Side Effect: FDA warns Desipramine can cause sudden cardiac death

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Kim Chartrand
Examiner.com
December 2, 2009

The FDA announced today that Norpramin (desipramine), an antidepressant made by Sanofi Aventis can cause disturbances in the heartbeat, including sudden cardiac death in people who have a family history of this or other heart rhythm disturbances. Also known as arrythmia, this problem is often preceded by seizure in those taking Norpramin. MedWatch, the safety information arm of the FDA and the manufacturer sent this new warning to healthcare professionals. If you take this drug, be sure to be proactive and mention this warning to your doctor; don’t assume he or she has gotten the message automatically. Both Sanofi Aventis and the FDA said that Norpramin overdose is more likely to result in death than other tricyclic antidepressants.

Antidepressants are one of the most widely prescribed class of medications and many have side effects which include worsening depression, other mental or mood symptoms, suicidal thoughts or attempts and sometimes new or worsening anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, irritability, hostile or angry feelings, impulsive actions, severe restlessness, and very rapid speech. If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. The heart rhythm disturbance at this time is unique to Norpramin and not associated with other antidepressants.

Read entire article: http://www.examiner.com/x-5126-San-Diego-Wellness-Examiner~y2009m12d2-Antidepressant-Norpramin-warning

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Kids diagnosed ADHD prescribed ‘medical’ marijuana. Harvard Psych agrees – Says he has no hesitation doping kids

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

David Knowles
SPHERE
November 24, 2009

In California, the state with the nation’s most permissive medical marijuana law, several doctors say that some children with attention deficit hyperacitivty disorder, or ADHD, are being treated with marijuana — a fact that has sparked a heated debate.

Reliable figures on the use of marijuana to treat ADHD are hard to come by, as reported by The New York Times . Though California says it has issued more than 36,000 medical marijuana cards since 2004, the state does not compile statistics on prescriptions for specific conditions, such as ADHD. And many doctors and patients are reluctant to talk about it. Still, experts say such prescriptions are becoming more common as the number of pot dispensaries and doctors prescribing marijuana continues to grow.

And not everyone is happy about it.

“Let me count the ways in which prescribing marijuana for teens with ADHD is a bad idea,” said Stephen Hinshaw, professor of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley. Marijuana, Hinshaw said, is a “cognitive disorganizer” that produces roughly the same effect in users as those associated with ADHD.

Read entire article: http://www.sphere.com/2009/11/24/marijuana-prescribed-to-kids-with-adhd/

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